Page 11 - IB December 2022

Fiji Fiji

Fiji’s President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere receives the Writ of Elections from Electoral Commission Chair, Mukesh Nand. Photo: Fiji Government

Nonetheless, the narrow margin of the votes (28 in favour obvious challenges. We are hopeful that this sets a trend of
of Rabuka as Prime Minister, 27 in favour of Bainimarama) responsible and healthy debates amongst our newly chosen
illustrates the challenges ahead for the Coalition government. leaders.”
“For sixteen long years, the people have been intimidated,
Celebration and catharsis harassed, divided, and frightened by a dictator. Today, we
Exiting parliament after Rabuka’s ascension to the Prime wake up to this joyous Christmas morning when Fiji is free
Ministership, Voreqe Bainimarama thanked FijiFirst’s voters at last,” said Unity Fiji leader, Savenaca Narube, continuing,
and gesturing to the house said, “this is democracy, and this “Unity Fiji believes that the experience from this election
is my legacy, 2013 Constitution. The two parties in PAP and gives us hope that the military coups and dictatorship are
NFP, the supporters of those two parties wanted the change, behind us, and Fiji can grow to be a model of truth, trust, and
SODELPA has given them that change.” happiness in the region.”
Some days later, in his address to the nation, Prime Minister To the end, there were attempts to create a sense of
Sitiveni Rabuka referred to a “great and joyful awakening” instability and fear in the country. Police Commissioner,
post-election. Sitiveni Qiliho issued a statement following alleged stoning
Certainly, the result had a cathartic effect on some Fijians incidents against Indo-Fijians, “calling for calm and… urging
who took to social media to share what they described as all Fijians to respect the political process following recent
hardships inflicted by the previous government, from travel political developments.” A later statement on December 22
bans to fear of speaking your mind, to professionally ruinous noted “minority groups who are now living in fear following
prosecutions by the Fiji Independent Commission Against recent political developments” and said that the army had
Corruption. been called in to assist police “with the maintenance of
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights, which had a fraught security and stability.”
relationship with the previous government, acknowledged The decision to call in the army to assist police appeared to
“the upholding of democratic processes that have allowed the prompt Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abdul Khan to
space for the parties to have discussions and make decisions resign. At the time of writing, no evidence of stonings or other
moving forward without fear and intimidation, despite the violence has been provided by the police, with Prime Minister

Islands Business, December 2022 11