Page 24 - IB November 2023

Fiji Fiji

Unshuffled: Attorney-General, Siromi Turaga (left) and Casting the ‘No’ vote: Fiji’s
Rabuka’s first choice for A-G, Lands Minister, Filimoni Permanent Representative
The rule of law ... Home Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua (left) and Army Commander, Vosarogo. Photo: Fiji Department of Information/ to the United Nations,
Major-General Jone Kalouniwai. Photo: Fiji Department of Information/RFMF Vosarogo Lawyers Filipo Tarakinikini.
Facebook Photo: Fiji Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
absence of cross-party consultations, as well as checking of changes, Permanent Secretary in the PM’s Office, Pita Wise,
the Constitutional requirements for appointments. told the media that the decision was made unilaterally by
“The Fiji Law Society is a powerful institution and for the PM under the provisions of the Constitution that “each
them to get involved reflects on the seriousness of the minister continues in office unless they are removed by the
[constitutional] breach,” says Ratuva. PM.”
He believes the constitutional provision that gives power to Asked why he did not consult anyone, Rabuka said he did
the PM to make changes to Cabinet unilaterally is based on not know there was going to be a public announcement and
the previous FijiFirst government’s assumption that they were denied authorising it.
going to rule the country perpetually.
“There were no thoughts on a Coalition government coming Ill feelings
to power,” he told Islands Business. Rabuka’s former son-in-law, Education Minister Aseri
Ratuva says Rabuka must understand the Coalition is not a Radroro, said he was ‘bewildered’ by reports he was going
one-party entity, and failure to engage in dialogue and clear to be removed from his portfolio. And the fact that he
inter-party and inter-personal communication will create has publicly defied a second senior-level appointment this
distrust and dissent, and even fragmentation. year, does nothing for speculation about the state of affairs
“And when these things dominate a relationship, things like between Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party and SODELPA - the
kingmaker in the three-way coalition. Radrodro is a SODELPA
MP, one of three in Parliament.
Rabuka led SODELPA for five years from 2016 to 2020, losing
“Fiji has only just resurfaced from 16 years of the party leadership to Viliame Gavoka.
authoritarian and then, from 2014, semi-authoritarian
government. So, it would be unwise to regard RFMF Ironically, Rabuka had to go back to SODELPA to ask for
intervention in the political process as legitimate and the three seats to form government last December. After
reasonable.”
- Professor in Comparative Politics, Jon Fraenkel intensive negotiations, SODELPA agreed to join Rabuka’s
Photo: Supplied People’s Alliance and the National Federation Party to form
government.
However, there has not been unity across the board. In
May, Radrodro opposed the Public Service Commission’s
leakage of confidential information such as the reshuffle will appointment of his new Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca.
happen.” He was eventually overruled.
Fiji government communications are in disarray. Formerly Asked why Radrodro was being moved from Education in
the domain of international public relations firm Qorvis, the proposed reshuffle, Rabuka had a one-word response:
to whom the previous government paid millions of dollars “insubordination.”
to tightly control government messaging, government Victoria University Professor in Comparative Politics, Jon
communications are now erratic and haphazard. Fraenkel, points to the fact that the SODELPA Management
The reshuffle was announced on the official webpage of Board was badly split on whether to join Rabuka when he
the Prime Minister’s Office, and the official government approached them to form government with him in December.
Facebook page on October 13, with Rabuka leaving for The Board had to vote twice. Both times Rabuka got through
Australia the next day. The post quoted Rabuka as stating that by a whisker.
effective 17 October, the switching of Turaga and Vosarogo’s Fraenkel says all might not have been forgiven.
responsibilities, and of Aseri Radrodro’s Education portfolio “We cannot expect a mistake-free government after 16
with that of iTaukei Affairs Minister Iferemi Vasu’s, was a years of authoritarian rule under Bainimarama,” Fraenkel told
“strategic reassignment of ministerial portfolios … intended to Islands Business.
enhance governance, improve policy coordination, and further Fraenkel adds that countries that emerge from long periods
improve service delivery to the people of Fiji.” of military dictatorship or quasi-military rule often witness big
As it emerged that the four ministers were unaware of the controversies about the quality of civilian governance, citing

24 Islands Business, November 2023