Professor Biman Prasad too achieves his life’s pursuit
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 24, 2022
When Sitiveni Rabuka was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Fiji this afternoon, the ceremony reflected the new spirit of democracy in the coup-ridden South Pacific nation and even after the outgoing Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama somewhat accepted the reality, the fear of the future looms large for Fijians.
Given the current set of circumstances, the election of Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu as the Speaker of the House – the first business transacted by the Third Parliament since 2014 – was perhaps appropriate. He comes to the post rich with experience as the Leader of the Opposition and as a Fijian Paramount Chief.
Mr Rabuka returns to the post of Prime Minister after 23 years, promising to follow the Western type of democracy, by which he perhaps means the Westminster system of governance.
Signed/Sealed: Rabuka is sworn in as FijiPM. #FijiPol pic.twitter.com/vJUfWbiZ4U
— Kelvin Anthony (@kelvinfiji) December 24, 2022
A bundle of ironies
The current political scenario is a bundle of ironies.
Mr Rabuka was the architect of two coups- both were staged in 1987 which were allegedly ‘in response to the emerging Indo-Fijian administration and to reassert the supremacy of ethnic Fijian supremacy,’ has today Professor Biman Prasad, Leader of the National Federation Party (NFP), Indo-Fijian as one of his Deputy Prime Ministers.
In 2006, months before Mr Bainimarama staged a coup to depose then Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Mr Rabuka, while visiting India for medical treatment told the media that the ‘1987 coups were democratically wrong.’
Ironically again, Mr Rabuka handed over the power that he had seized in September 1987 to the President on December 5 of that year, the day on which Mr Bainimarama took over the reins of Fiji in 2006.
In the 1997 general election, the NFP formed an alliance with the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei, led by Mr Rabuka and lost heavily. In the 2022 general election, it formed an alliance with Mr Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party, gained five seats and today became a partner in the coalition government.
When he was the Leader of SODELPA, Mr Rabuka was challenged and on November 27, 2020, he lost by one vote. He received 20 votes while his opponent Viliame Gavoka polled 21 votes.
Yesterday (December 23, 2022) SODELPA, having become the kingmaker with three seats in the general election held on December 14, 2022, voted to side with Mr Rabuka with a one-vote difference. The same, single vote secured him the post of Prime Minister as Parliament met in Suva today (December 24, 2022). The person who led that support was Mr Gavoka.
The Indian disconnect: Fiji
On May 25, 1990, Mr Rabuka as the Chief of the Fijian Army ordered the closure of the Indian High Commission in Suva and expelled its diplomats, citing India’s support to the Indian community in Fiji. Relations between India and Fiji came under severe strain following the two coups in 1987. It was not until March 1999 that the High Commission reopened in Suva, while Fiji established its diplomatic mission in New Delhi in 2004.
Mr Rabuka graduated from the Defence Services Staff College of India, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
The Indian disconnect: New Zealand
India-New Zealand relations have also seen their worst days, dating back to 1982, when both countries closed their respective High Commissions in Wellington and New Delhi following a verbal battle between Prime Ministers Robert Muldoon and Indira Gandhi. Three years later, Prime Minister David Lange showed an olive branch by sending Edmund Hillary as the High Commissioner to repair relations. This led to the reopening of the respective missions.
Relations between the two countries have improved since then but not as much as they have with Fiji. In October this year, New Zealand called off its Free Trade Agreements talks with India stating that such a pact ‘was not a priority.’
Rabuka’s priorities
Back to Mr Rabuka, the newly sworn-in Prime Minister also has the task of managing his country’s international relations as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Climate Change. He has also kept portfolios of Information, Civil Service and Public Enterprises.
According to his Party’s Manifesto, a Rabuka-led government will strive to improve and intensify relations with the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand within 100 days of assuming office. These will include promoting investment, agriculture and tourism and initiating discussions for visa-free travel for Fijians.
The Party will also review Fiji’s relations with the Pacific Islands Forum and make it more relevant and better focused.
Breaking – Frank Bainimarama thanks the FijiFirst supporters and says “this is democracy and this is my legacy. The 2013 Constitution.” #FijiPol pic.twitter.com/irLMTdHIRV
— Kelvin Anthony (@kelvinfiji) December 24, 2022
Western democracies such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, which Mr Rabuka favours are anxious to ensure a coup-free Fiji, for the political stability of this South Pacific country is vital for their interests.
Fiji is of strategic importance in South Pacific’s response to increasing competition for influence between China and the United States.
The new Council of Ministers
Mr Rabuka seems to have chosen his Cabinet carefully. For now, it is known that three Deputy Prime Ministers will hold three key portfolios.
They are Professor Dr Biman Prasad (of the National Federation Party), who will be the Minister of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics.
Viliame Gavoka (SODELPA), Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Manoa Kamikamica (Deputy Leader, People’s Alliance Party), Minister of External Trade Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises.
Attorney General: Siromi Turaga; Women’s Minister: Lynda Tabuya; Home Affairs: Pio Tikoduadua; Education Minister: Aseri Radrodro; Health Minister: Ratu Antonio, Indigenous Affairs Minister: Ifireimi Vasu; Land and Resources Minister: Filimoni Vosarogo.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated Rabuka, saying that New Zealand looks forward to working with the new government to strengthen the ‘very warm relationship.’
“We strongly value Fiji as a close friend and partner as we progress our shared priorities for the region. I wish to acknowledge former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s important legacy for Fiji and his role as a regional leader supporting action on regional issues, including climate change,” she said in a statement.
Although he did not formally concede defeat, Mr Bainimarama thanked his supporters.
“We still are the biggest political Party in Parliament. This is democracy; this is my legacy, including the 2013 Constitution,” he said.
Mr Rabuka has won the electoral battle to become yet again the Prime Minister of Fiji. But he should not lose the peace that follows.
Fiji is vulnerable to coups and a politically strong and ‘unvanquished’ Bainimarama could be a political threat over the next four years.
Fiji’s future, along with that of the region, depends on the success of Mr Rabuka.
