Fiji: The way ahead
Many a times there have been questions on the lips of all who have some connection with or are a Fiji citizen: Will democratic elections ever take place in the island nation?
Eight years after Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, then head of the Fiji Military Forces, took control of the country after ousting the government of Laisenia Qarase, all signs are pointing to the real deal later in the year.
Political parties appear busy ironing out the crinkles after almost a decade of inaction and Prime Minister Bainimarama himself hangs up his uniform in the military, and takes the reins of a new party which will contest the poll.
It will be a significant moment on Friday, February 28 when Commodore Bainimarama becomes simply civilian Prime Minister Bainimarama. Not only will Prime Minister Bainimarama will no longer be military commander, the new constitution guarantees that his replacement as Commander will not be in Government either.
Significant, because this political act will break the direct link between the Government of Fiji and the chain of command of the Fiji Military Forces that has existed since the 2006 coup. This is the first step toward a “civilianised” Government before the September election.
Significant again will be the announcement on March 1 of details of Bainimarama’s newly formed political party.
Ostracised initially by the western world for the military takeover and delaying a return to democracy (not that any country would be seen to support a coup), Bainimarama appears to have again found favour with former allies Australia and New Zealand.
The Valentine’s Day meeting in Suva between Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Bainimarama proved more of a love-in than a confrontation, say commentators.
Canberra is well aware of Bainimarama’s hand in realigning - to a certain extent - power in the region where Australia has always played the central figure, and New Zealand sidling up and going along with “big brother”.
The September election will be a litmus test for the former Fijian Navy Commander who has claimed from Day One that he overthrew the Qarase government amid claims of corruption and wanted to end racial marginalisation.
Over the past few years, Qarase and several key figures of his government – and also several prominent businessmen - have faced the courts in what has been termed by the interim government as a “clean-out”.
Significant also has been the use of the term “Fijian” now being used to describe every Fiji citizen compared to “Fijian” and “Indo-Fijian”, and the removal of the Great Council of Chiefs, the chiefly body enshrined in tradition.
Much hoo-haa was made of Bainimarama’s Budget last year when he announced free education for all up to secondary school, student loans, health, and infrastructure upgrades. Political leaders questioned his ability to deliver on the promises, and some even called it vote buying.
Whatever the case may be, these are interesting times in the history of Fiji as the coup-prone nation prepares to go to the polls. For the past eight years, the military-led government has had its say.
Come September, it will be the people’s turn.
Many a times there have been questions on the lips of all who have some connection with or are a Fiji citizen: Will democratic elections ever take place in the island nation? Eight years after Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, then head of the Fiji Military Forces, took control of the country after...
Many a times there have been questions on the lips of all who have some connection with or are a Fiji citizen: Will democratic elections ever take place in the island nation?
Eight years after Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, then head of the Fiji Military Forces, took control of the country after ousting the government of Laisenia Qarase, all signs are pointing to the real deal later in the year.
Political parties appear busy ironing out the crinkles after almost a decade of inaction and Prime Minister Bainimarama himself hangs up his uniform in the military, and takes the reins of a new party which will contest the poll.
It will be a significant moment on Friday, February 28 when Commodore Bainimarama becomes simply civilian Prime Minister Bainimarama. Not only will Prime Minister Bainimarama will no longer be military commander, the new constitution guarantees that his replacement as Commander will not be in Government either.
Significant, because this political act will break the direct link between the Government of Fiji and the chain of command of the Fiji Military Forces that has existed since the 2006 coup. This is the first step toward a “civilianised” Government before the September election.
Significant again will be the announcement on March 1 of details of Bainimarama’s newly formed political party.
Ostracised initially by the western world for the military takeover and delaying a return to democracy (not that any country would be seen to support a coup), Bainimarama appears to have again found favour with former allies Australia and New Zealand.
The Valentine’s Day meeting in Suva between Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Bainimarama proved more of a love-in than a confrontation, say commentators.
Canberra is well aware of Bainimarama’s hand in realigning - to a certain extent - power in the region where Australia has always played the central figure, and New Zealand sidling up and going along with “big brother”.
The September election will be a litmus test for the former Fijian Navy Commander who has claimed from Day One that he overthrew the Qarase government amid claims of corruption and wanted to end racial marginalisation.
Over the past few years, Qarase and several key figures of his government – and also several prominent businessmen - have faced the courts in what has been termed by the interim government as a “clean-out”.
Significant also has been the use of the term “Fijian” now being used to describe every Fiji citizen compared to “Fijian” and “Indo-Fijian”, and the removal of the Great Council of Chiefs, the chiefly body enshrined in tradition.
Much hoo-haa was made of Bainimarama’s Budget last year when he announced free education for all up to secondary school, student loans, health, and infrastructure upgrades. Political leaders questioned his ability to deliver on the promises, and some even called it vote buying.
Whatever the case may be, these are interesting times in the history of Fiji as the coup-prone nation prepares to go to the polls. For the past eight years, the military-led government has had its say.
Come September, it will be the people’s turn.
Leave a Comment