This story was first posted on March 3, 2022
Sourced Content
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama returned home on after spending more than two months at a Melbourne hospital recovering from cardiovascular surgery.
Bainimarama announced his return on his official Twitter account on March 3, 2022.
He thanked the Fijian people for their prayers and said that there was “no better feeling than coming home to the family I love and the people I am privileged to lead.”
His tweet put an end to speculation that his health was deteriorating after the medical procedure.
“My mission is to keep Fiji going strong,” he said as he faced a crucial election year, which is expected to be contested fiercely by former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Critics have their say
He was pictured with his wife Mary Bainimarama being greeted at the Nadi International Airport by a high-level Government delegation, led by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yogesh Karan.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had said in January 2022 that Mr Bainimarama was not expected back at work until the end of February.
Mr Bainimarama was last seen in public attending the funeral of an official from the iTaukei Affairs Board in Suva on January 5, 2022. The government was criticised for its handling of the Prime Minister’s sudden departure overseas.
“There is no better feeling than coming home to the family I love and the people I am privileged to lead. Thank you for your prayers. Safe to say that I know a thing or two about a recovery; my mission here is to keep Fiji going strong,” Mr Bainimarama said in his Tweet,
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said in his tweet that “the Prime Minister looked ready to rock n roll!.’
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
