Page 8 - Islands Business October 2024 edition

Whispers Whispers

First Citizen arrested. Revolving door
FIJI will have a new President. The It was then that the senator was WHAT’S happening at the regional
incumbent, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, prevailed upon to help his compatriots institution which appears to have a
will step down after serving a single and smooth over the waters of Pacific huge revolving door with frequent
term - highly unusual in Fiji where bilateralism. departures? This year, the place of
people in authority attempt to hang learning lost three members of its
on forever. Katonivere was a steadying Media drama faculty in as many months.
influence after the 2022 elections DRAMA at the recent Pacific Islands Staff and students are unhappy with
when the ousted Frank Bainimarama News Association (PINA) meeting terms, conditions and the general
attempted to remain in office despite as regional journalists voted for a leadership, yet few wish to speak for
the poll results. president. fear of victimisation.
The question is not who will replace Delegates from one country turned The place expects an influx of
Katonivere. It’s all but determined that against a nominee - one of their own - customers in 2025, but as of now, it has
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu—Speaker of who for years stood for media freedom insufficient staff to care for its 2026
the House of Representatives—a chief and battled at great personal cost intake.
and former land administrator will for the state to ease restrictions on
become First Citizen. journalists. Kava ban
After 54 years as an independent And then there were the Melanesians FIJI’s largest single Christian
nation, is it not time for a woman or a who, after running the show for the denomination—the Methodist Church in
person of non-indigenous stock to hold past 14 years, did not want to open Fiji—has placed a ban on kava drinking
the title? Surely, that would go a long the door to nominations from the other as a method of fundraising. In recent
way towards building a united Fiji. sub-regions. There’s something about years, the selling of tickets to binge
Melanesians trying to hold on as long as kava drinking events had become
Funny deal possible to power. popular. The trend known as Kava Barrel
ALL is not well in New Caledonia Fortunately, good sense prevailed and has kept many fathers—and mothers
despite the quiet situation on the the Melanesians were out. —away from their children for long
streets. Newly-elected President of the periods of time, several nights a week.
Congress, Veylma Falaeo, has officially Top cop With the ban on Kava Barrels, some
declared a controversial deal signed in The knives are out in Fiji’s police innovative pastors have continued with
April with the Parliament of Azerbaijan force with the top job up for grabs. the practice after a quick baptism and
“null and void”. No local career police officer has been change of name. Now known as Kava
Apparently, the memorandum was substantive Commissioner since Josefa Soli (Contribution), some clerics feel
signed in Baku in April between a Lewaicei in the 1990s. Since then, they are able to beat the system and
Congress member of New Caledonia’s foreigners or military officers have imbibe more in the local brew. The
Union Calédonienne party (pro- headed the force. church executive is either blissfully
independence), Omayra Naisseline and Now, with the opportunity for locals unaware or choosing to play dumb.
the President of the Azeri Parliament. to fill the position, there is a frenzy
The deal was then presented as a within the force among those in Family name
cooperation step between the two contention to discredit the opposition What’s in a name? In Papua New
institutions. by any means possible. There is no love Guinea, the answer is quite a lot
It seems the French side of New lost and the fuss is making it easier for a when it comes to the Somare Family.
Caledonia’s congress feels it has carte non-career policeman or woman to rise Recently, a building in Port Moresby was
blanche to do as it wishes. Perhaps they to the position of Top Cop. renamed in honour of that nation’s first
use the same bulldozer as President prime minister, Sir Michael Somare.
Macron. Church money Due publicity wa given to the
THERE are rumblings within an island renaming but it appears nobody had
Sleepy senator church which has lost one of its senior informed the family.
MEANWHILE in Fiji, a New Caledonian pastors to a regional institution. Prime Minister James Marape was
senator of the majority party was The church wants their errant forced to apologise to the Somare
hauled out of bed for a visit to the local minister to return home to answer Family for the lack of consultation.
police station. On his way back from questions on how money was distributed After the necessary apologies,
decolonisation talks in New York, he from head office and who decided expressions of disappointment and
had stopped by for some rest in Suva. on the allocation of scholarships. obligatory face saving, the renaming
Visiting New Caledonian soccer players Despite several attempts, the church went ahead.
became over enthusiastic after a match president has been unable to convince All parties appear to have now moved
in Fiji’s capital and the police were the educational institution to let the on.
called with some of the team being minister return home.

8 Islands Business, October 2024