After more than two months and infinite patience on the part of voters, Samoa finally has a new Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. We’re yet to see what Fiame’s ascendancy will mean for regional politics and cooperation at a time when it is more important than ever for economic recovery and to keep action on climate change on track. Fiame is a well-respected and well-connected leader by virtue of her many years as part of Samoa’s government, so we hope she plays a steadying role at a time when so many of the region’s leaders are still new to their positions.
Here in Fiji, the long road to the 2022 elections will be rocky if the past few months are anything to go by. There’s profound unhappiness and grief over the way Fiji’s COVID response has been handled and the escalating infection and death rate. Meanwhile a controversial bill to amend how iTaukei land is administered has stirred deep emotions and strong statements from both sides of parliament and varying legal interpretations.
Any discussion over land in Fiji is, by definition, complex and fraught, given our political history. But the problem is that, once again, it appears no opposition will be entertained and there has been no consultation with landowners.
More than ten politicians and political party staff have been taken in for questioning by police over their public comments on the bill, some of them just before curfew. This makes it difficult for their families, lawyers, staff and supporters to monitor their location and well-being, and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty. Fiji police have said the questioning is not a matter of intimidation, but “a pro-active means to find the truth” but that’s disingenuous given it’s only those with viewpoints that oppose government that are being scrutinised. The timing of their arrests can only create a sense of uncertainty, if not fear.
Meanwhile while the iTaukei Land Trust Board management says it was consulted over and supports the bill, landowners in their communities have not. They want to know, what’s the rush?
Fiji voters have at least a year before we cast our votes. Our economy is on its knees and our unity and cohesiveness as a people can feel incredibly fragile at a time like this. We can only hope for a little more mutual respect, empathy and willingness to embrace “talanoa” as a lived practice (as distinct from a catchphrase) if we are to survive and thrive.
