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NO OTHER WAY: SODELPA needs a new leading light to guide the nation out of the darkness of dictatorship - Sitiveni Rabuka touted as the MAN!

6/5/2016

22 Comments

 
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Negotiations – if they can yet be called that – are at a very preliminary stage but there’s every chance that SODELPA will make good its political error in spurning Sitiveni Rabuka.

The founder of the coup culture was knocked back early on in the opposition’s life, it being publicly stated that his history was not in keeping with the party’s aims and philosophy.

But with the principal objector [Mick Beddoes], egged on by his side-kick Tupeni Baba, out of the political arena the time is increasingly seen as right for Rabuka’s return.

And if he does come into the SODELPA fold it’s hard to see him as anything but leader.

There are huge political advantages in such a move and, as always, drawbacks.

That Rabuka still has a following is beyond doubt. Though he is rightly accredited as being the founder of Fiji’s coup culture, in his mellowing years Rabuka discovered the need to bring all of Fiji’s communities with him – though neither major ethnic group was ready for the deal with Jai Ram Reddy in the 1999 election. Exit Rabuka.

But he has never really gone away, maintaining a public profile while awaiting – and studying - events.

The business community can work with him. There are even echoes of respect for him within the military while his political savvy would be an asset to SODELPA.

He favours a return to the rule of law in Fiji, having learned from his errors in flouting it.

On another level, however, he can be painted as the evil genius who set his country on the road to destruction – yesterday’s man with nothing to offer the “new” Fiji and its military dictatorship.

He can been seen as divisive, a “Fiji for the Fijians” man, despite his best efforts to jettison that political baggage.

But whether it’s Rabuka or anyone else, SODELPA needs a new leading light to guide the nation out of the darkness of dictatorship.

Ro Teimumu has tried her honest best to serve but she’s a chief, not a politician, and the experience and standing of someone like Rabuka would be a telling factor in election campaigning.

Not that SODELPA can win an election. Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum decides who will sit in parliament but even he and Bainimarama’s military would find it hard, if not impossible, to stand in the way of a public opinion groundswell.

In that event, Fiji might even see the military’s worst nightmare – peaceful public protest.

Sitiveni Rabuka did not respond to a request for comment.


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Fijileaks: What Fiji is crying out for is an Opposition which champions 'aspirations' and not merely the 'aggrieved', which means to stop focusing primarily on the Great Council of Chiefs; and those religiously  hailing the contributions of 'Bainimarama's chiefs' for standing up with him should be roundly condemned - these opportunistic chiefs are (including the recently deceased ones) exploiting links with Bainimarama to remain significant and to perpetuate their own
chieftaincy through dictatorship 


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Chiefly Support Reinforces PM

The two chiefs who have just died were part of a long list of chiefs who support Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.


That means they support all his policies including the abolition of the Great Council of Chiefs. It blows away the argument by Opposition politicians that many iTaukei want the GCC reinstated.

The late Roko Tui Kiuva, Ratu Tevita Tawake and the late Tui Tavuki, Ratu Joni Duikete, represented a special group of traditional iTaukei leaders who may not be seen frequently in public but are greatly respected in their own communities.

Ratu Tevita is one of several Tailevu and Kubuna Confederacy chiefs who stood by Mr Bainimarama during some of his difficult leadership periods. Kubuna comprises Tailevu, Lomaiviti, Naitasiri and Ra provinces. They include high-ranking Bau chiefs, the late Adi Samanunu Cakobau, sister Adi Litia Cakobau and brother Ratu George Kadavulevu Cakobau Junior.

Their father was the former Vunivalu, Tui Kaba,  of Bau and Kubuna, the late Ratu Sir George Cakobau (senior).

After their mother, Adi Veniana Gavoka died, Ratu Sir George married Radi Levuka Lady Lelea Seruwaia Balekiwai and they had five children Adi Kaunilotuma Cakobau, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Ratu Josefa Celua Cakobau, Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa Cakobau. Ratu Sir George was the first local Governor-General (1973-1983).  He was a direct descendant of Ratu Seru Cakobau who was styled Tui Viti when Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874.

Since Ratu George died in 1989, the title of Vunivalu has remained vacant.

The kingmakers’ clan has not been able to decide who should be the new Vunivalu.

The candidates are Ratu  George Kadavulevu and Ratu Epenisa by virtue of their lineage. While Ratu George Kadavulevu supports FijiFirst, Ratu Epenisa aligns himself with SODELPA.

In his recent tour of Tailevu North areas devastated by Cyclone Winston, chiefs and their people from Qelekuro to Nasinu in Dawasamu pledged their support for Mr Bainimarama. Lomaiviti has also committed its support for the PM.

In Rewa, Mr Bainimarama has a powerful ally in the Vunivalu, Ratu Epeli Mataitini.

This has caused strained relations with Ro Teimumu Kepa, Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi, Paramount chief of Rewa and Burebasaga confederacy.

She is also the Opposition leader and outgoing SODELPA leader. On cultural and traditional matters, they are supposed to be working together but this has not been happening.

The West chiefs and their people voted in large numbers for Mr Bainimarama in the 2014 general elections.

The same momentum has continued because of the developments that have taken place  after the election.

These are some of the chiefs who have stood by Mr Bainimarama since 2014. It’s an impressive list and demonstrates that he has a strong iTaukei base.

BA PROVINCE
Turaga Na Taukei Naua , deceased, (vacant)
Turaga Na Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia,
Turaga Tui Nawaka, Ratu Asaeli Drui Naevo,
Turaga Tui Sabeto, Ratu Tevita Susu Mataitoga,
Turaga Tui Nadi, Ratu Sailosi Ramoqe Dawai,
Turaga Tui Tavua,  Ratu Nacanieli Uqeuqe
Turaga Na Tui Naviti, Ratu Kitione Vuluma,
Taukei Vidilo, Ratu Wiliame Bouwalu Saumaimuri,
Turaga Na Tui Vitogo, Ratu Wiliame Sovasova,
Marama na Tui Ba, Adi Laite Koroirua

RA PROVINCE
Turaga Tui Na Viti Levu, deceased, vacant
Turaga Na Tui Nalawa, Ratu Epeli Niudamu

NADROGA PROVINCE
Turaga Na KaLevu,[Vakatawa], Ratu Kinijoji Nanovo Vosalagi,
Turaga Na Tui Conua, Ratu Luke Veidovi,
Turaga Tui Davutukia, Ratu Emosi Buruavatu
Turaga Na Tui Lawa, Ratu Sevanaia Vatunitu Lalabalavu.
Turaga Na Tui Vusu, Ratu Siriako N. Matabogi
Turaga Tui Nasikawa, Ratu Timoci Koilolo,

TAILEVU PROVINCE
Adi Litia Cakobau
Ratu George Kadavulevu Cakobau Junior

REWA
Ro Epeli Mataitini

VANUA LEVU

Tui Wainunu- Ratu Orisi Baleitavea
Tui Macuata- Ratu Wiliame Katonivere
Tui Mali- Ratu Meli Bogiso

From Fijileaks Archive:
BY VICTOR LAL
An old conch shell blowing different tune - Adi Litia Cakobau forgets poll lesson from past; in 2001 she had asked Bainimarama to hand over command of the RFMF to the GCC; also, she wanted George Speight freed from prison: "What happened in 2000 were political expressions;
to criminalize freedom of expression is to criminalize democracy "

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Excerpt, BY VICTOR LAL (Fiji's Daily Post, 2000):

The Mara/Cakobau Dynasty

In recent years there has been a public split between the Mara/Cakobau political and traditional dynasty. The victory of the Fiji Labour Party, the inclusion of Ratu Mara’s daughter as a Minister in Chaudhry’s government, and Ratu Mara’s elevation as President of Fiji, drove a further wedge between the Mara-Cakobau clan in Fijian politics. It was not surprising, therefore, that Speight and others hailing from the Cakobau side of the traditional clan had been baying for Mara’s political blood shortly after seizing power. Unlike the Mara family, the Cakobau family had been badly defeated at the polls.  

As the Daily Post pointed out on 19 May 1999, a year to the day Speight and his hoodlums seized the Chaudhry government, the Cakobau family name was not enough to muster the support of Tailevu voters as brother, sister, and cousin lost their respective seats. Members of this chiefly Bau and Tailevu family, regarded highly throughout the country, could not hold on to their voting leads, and lost out after preferences were distributed. Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Adi Litia Cakobau’s brother, lost the Tailevu South Lomaiviti open seat to political enthusiast and Fiji Labour Party candidate Isireli Vuivau. Ratu Epenisa was among those who had formed the Fijian Association Party. However, he withdrew his support from the party after his elder sister Adi Samanunu contested the 1994 elections for the SVT. ‘Family unity is very important to me’, he had said then.

The first to concede defeat was Adi Litia Cakobau, the daughter of the late Vunivalu. She had contested the Tailevu North/Ovalau open seat, a seat which my late father, as President of the Tailevu North Alliance District Council, had actively campaigned and helped Ratu George Cakobau to win in the 1970s. Adi Litia and Ratu Epenisa had contested the elections under the SVT electoral tickets. An emotional Adi Litia attributed their loss to what she described as the other Fijian parties determination to eliminate the SVT. ‘It is really sad that the other parties had preached that we had sold out the interest of Fijians. People, the Fijians, need to understand their Constitution. The rights of the indigenous is well protected. The question they should ask is what will happen now-will they be able to get extra or special protection as given to them by the SVT.’

She noted that her loss was as a result of ‘a divided Fijian front’. Adi Litia said that the ‘vanua no longer could dictate the people’s political preference but that is democracy’. ‘The people have chosen their representatives and that is what counts’, Adi Litia said. She had also moved Sitiveni Rabuka’s name for chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, while Ratu Tevita Vakalalabure of Cakaudrove moved her name for vice chairman. This clearly showed that the provinces of Tailevu and Cakaudrove wanted to control the Council, especially after the SVT lost power in the general elections to the Peoples Coalition of Labour, Fijian Association and PANU.

History is also repeating itself. Professor Ravuvu is asking us to wait for the birth of a new Constitution. If a Constitution emerges from such a chaotic and inexpert approach, we will have a Constitution with all the attendant problems of the ‘Bau Constitution’ of the 19th Century.
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http://www.fijileaks.com/home/we-want-all-50-seats-in-parliament-says-bainimarama-he-will-get-it-if-his-opponents-continue-to-form-political-parties-left-right-and-centre-in-fiji

22 Comments
Dekho
6/5/2016 09:31:15 am

Fiji's business can work with him ( Rabuka). They have been working very well with the current coupist PM Bainimarama. What Fiji needs is not any popular leader. It needs respect for democratic governance and the rule of law. Bainimarama and his main boy Aiyaz have not delivered that. They have made a mockery of democracy and the rule of law. If Rabuka can challenge the existing order and turn things around then he will make amends for putting the country off the democratic rail. It's possible. I'll back him over Bai- Kai any day.

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Pita
6/5/2016 09:51:14 am

Voters have overwhelmingly rejected this man. He no longer has any credibility. Let him be PM for Vanua Levu as they are the ones besotted with him

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fiji indian
6/5/2016 10:36:08 am

Rabuka ..will be great match for Frank ... during election campaign given his know how of Military leadership and he is wonderful speaker ..this man still has what it takes to be our pm

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Fiji is full of Crooks
6/5/2016 11:16:51 am

Committed Treason in 1987. Five years later Chaudary helped him to become PM over Joe Kamikamica.

"I could see it in their faces," Mara declared about Rabuka and Savua being behind the 2000 Coups.

In November2000, he was lurking around and his role in November 2000 mutiny has never been probed adequately.Frank Bainimarama charged that while the revolt was in progress, Rabuka had visited the barracks with his army uniform in the car, ready to take over command of the army

Sorry, but he's not a fit and proper person to be a leader in Democratic Fiji.

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Justice
6/5/2016 01:23:29 pm

Rabuka is opportunist and people of Fiji dont want Rabuka. Rabuka should understand that his own SVT ditched him and now he is trying his level best to overtake SODELPA. Well voting for Rabuka is like voting for coup and there is no difference between Rabuka and BAIKAI both raped Fiji's democracy. People who rest any leader who talks about bread and butter issue at grass root level and he whose hands, heart and head are clean. People dint want corrupt leaders. During Rabuka time NBF collapsed and $220 million was missing during BAIKAI's time $380 million and still counting so whats the difference? Both theives, both rapist only current one is maha (greatest) as far has the history of Fiji democracy is concern. May God almighty give people knowledge to understand want is right and wrong. What is moral and ethical when voting in 2018. May God save Fiji from crooks, theives and rapist.

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Dutybound
6/5/2016 08:51:53 pm

Rabuka is duty bound to fix the wrongs he did in the country. He started the coup culture. He must end that legacy. Only then can he clear his name. History will otherwise be most unkind to him. He must stop thinking of coming as a leader; he should do deeds which propel him to a leadership position. This will require him to come out of his hibernation and becoming active in political life. He can start with a column in a blog site even.

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Rajend Naidu
6/5/2016 10:17:34 pm

Editor,
Political Propaganda v Political Reality
In her letter titled ' Israel's behaviour ' ( ct 6/5 ) Gwenyth Bay makes a poignant distinction between the two. She writes :
" Israeli ambassador Shmuel Ben Shmuel ( " Bringing down Israel is not helping Palestine" Times 2, May 4) says " No other nation in history...has ever adhered to higher standards of human rights, been more sensitive to safety of innocent citizens or been willing to take more risks for peace".
Does that include stealing Palestian lands and building settlements, setting up hundreds of check points, burning or uprooting Palestian olive orchards, incarcerating children , arresting people in the middle of the night, executing or imprisoning suspects without trial or building a separation wall that prevents Palestians from leading normal lives, to name a few of Israel's high standard of human rights?
It's not hard to see where the ambassador is coming from. State functionaries peddle political propaganda. Often what they say has little correspondence to ground realities as Gwenyth has so succinctly pointed out. I recall the Sri Lankan ambassador to Australia doing the same - painting a picture that all was good in Sri Lanka - at a time when the UN was saying there was overwhelming evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan State.
I can cite many more examples but I'll leave it here because I believe the point is made.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

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Strong
6/5/2016 11:18:25 pm

NFP looks good, but needs an iTaukei leader. Tupou is best.

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Pita
6/5/2016 11:20:08 pm

Oh no. The rambling thoughts of a coupster and racist.
This guy still has not come clean on the machinations behind his coup.
He like George Speight was the Baffin who led the coup. The puppeteers and financiers behind the scenes still remain unrvealed to this day
He, Nawaikula, Ratu Naiqama, Raivoce can do whatever they want but do it in their own Tovata Confederation.

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jml
7/5/2016 04:55:00 am

The man Rabuka cooperated with Reddy and gave us the 1997 Constitution that the majority wanted back.
SODELPA can not be a government in waiting. A toothless tiger bringing up non issues. And Banimarama and Khaiyum has proved their worth over and over again- it has been down hill with each greasing the rails of a broken down runaway train.
Who else do the people have apart from Rabuka to stand up to the tyrants?

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Head confused
7/5/2016 06:49:00 am

He could be the asnwer....well lets see. Antyhing that gets bai and Khai out I would subscribe to. But hope we don't get into bigger trouble with Rabuka. I like to think he has truly changed.

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SODELPA Insider
7/5/2016 08:34:26 am

Good analysis Victor. We do not get to read much of such analysis In the dailies except delaibatiki even through it's one sided but he is entitled to his opinion. First and foremost Ro Temumu and SODELPA need to dump Jese Sikivou, the Adi's so called media advisor, urgently. Some of the racist, retarded and backward statements from the SODELPA leader is the handiwork of Jese, who fancies himself as a political strategist, media expert and king maker but is really an intellectual lightweight. Jese's racist viewed have clouded his already weak and feeble judement and impacting negatively on the party as it tries to shed its feudal and ultra nationalist past and embrace the younger generation with progressive policies. One example is the stupid statement to get back at journalists when SODELPA retains power. People like Jese are a major obstacle and huge negative influence on our party, as well as the flip-flopping Tupeni Babas of this world.

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Dekho
7/5/2016 10:12:58 am

My view on elections in Fiji after the Bainimarama coup and dictatorship was as follows :
1. An interim civilian government and NOT the Bainimarama- Khaiyum should conduct the first post coup election.
2. When it became obvious that 1 was not going to happen because the international community did not demand it, I said all the pro- democratic opposition needed to get together in a grand coalition to get rid of the twin dictators of Fiji.
That did not happen because of parochialism and vested interested .
We know the result of that. Today I remain of the view that a grand coalition is needed to oust Bainimarama and Khaiyum and their cronies. SODELPA in any shape and form will not be able to do that on its own no matter who it gets to be its leader.

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Jese Sikivou
7/5/2016 04:22:35 pm

I was wondering who was 'touting' SLR, now I know. Your comments are laughable, I have never been accused of intellectual anything. I serve my Gone Marama Bale because of my traditional role, not in any political capacity. Besides it would be his own chief, Na Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Cakau SLR would have to battle for Party Leadership, the GMBRTD is Leader of the Opposition. Besides I am doing a short stint with a regional NGO. Totolo qai cala cala o iko Gauna Vinaka scribe, qai tani mada vaka yawa.

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Flawed Campaigner
9/5/2016 09:05:00 am

Is this the same Jesé 'Cheeky Boy' Sikivou that led the disastrous campaign for SODELPA at the last election. The party needs new blood and a new vision. Neither the Lady nor Rabuka are up to the challenge. Surely SODELPA has better candidates than the names being touted out.

Vinay Kumar
7/5/2016 10:21:43 am

But Rabuka claims God spoke to him in the cassava patch?

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Welcome Home
8/5/2016 09:25:04 am

What respect did any of these past leaders show for their mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers or indeed for their wives and widows? The 72 mothers living in Homes for the Aged are a sign of the over-arching disrespect and dishonourable treatment which is so often the lot of women in Fiji: past and present. Our heart bleeds for all these women who have mostly given so much to a society which must be chided to "do better by them". No future leader can ever stand up without a concrete and firm commitment to these mothers, widows and care-giving grandmothers. A Charter for Mothers should be in place and no one ought to consider standing for Public Office until their wholehearted commitment is made perfectly clear. This to cover all mothers - no matter their social standing nor their circumstances. The curriculum in all schools and universities ought also to thoroughly explain and improve on the Charter and how it came about. A Happy Mothers' Day to all Fiji's Mothers: we shall cherish you always.

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Forward Fiji
9/5/2016 04:48:54 am

No other way his (Rabuka's) BIG BUM......Vote for this racist c***t if you wanna see Fiji go to doom....Don't worry about the Indo Fijians, they will survive one way or the other, as they are an intelligent bunch. Its us the I Taukei that will suffer if Rabuka makes a comeback into politics...REJECT him!!....Oh and SODELPA can forget about any Indo Fijians votes if they do endorse this old fart!...

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jml
9/5/2016 09:04:35 pm

Majority of the Indo Fijians have rejected SODELPA because of the same old and policies under Qarase and SDL. More are doing so as the days go by.

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Ripe
9/5/2016 09:43:51 pm

Indians have rejected SODELPA and NFP, one for extremism and the other for lack of leadership. For them Labour was the only party which was universal in appeal. Its policies were pro-people. It was concerned for all irrespective of race or religion. But it got dogged by a greedy leader. They went to FF because of lack of choice. Now they have seen the corruption in FF and how khaiyum uses Bainimarama for his own gain. They wont be with FF in the next election unless Frank Bainimarama kicks out Khaiyum. They wont join NFP they see Biman doesnt have the courage to provide leadership. Indians are ripe for picking. By who, is the big question.

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Welcome Home
10/5/2016 05:19:49 am

It may well be "an embarrassment" that an infant as young as six months has fallen prey to sexual abuse: namely rape. It may also be embarrassing that the youngest reported perpetrator - so far - is thirteen. However, it is not reported or stated that such incidents are proof of a profound malaise if not actual psychological dysfunction. This is self evident and was revealed five years ago by an Australian surgeon who had come in to Fiji to assist in providing surgical care to a 'mother' of eleven years who had been raped. This young girl would never be able again to function physiologically as her female friends would in life. In common with victims in Sub-Saharan Africa she was effectively maimed for life. This was 2011 in Fiji not the DRC or Cameroon or Central African Republic. Why were we NOT informed of such atrocities? Because as we now see this was no isolated case. These maimed young girls live in our midst and WE are responsible! ALL of us!! The failure to investigate and to report responsibly, empathetically has led Fiji to this 'embarrassing pass'. The police officers who have permitted perpetrators of murder to have cases against them fail due to allegations of interrogation under duress have much to answer for. In over ninety hours in the Fiji Courts it has been witnessed how this unfolded. Now WHERE were you? For you were routinely informed and these murderers and their collaborators were known. All major print newspapers were guilty by their omission. A failure of spine to confront glaring and audacious criminality. You reap what has been sown. Reflect carefully.

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Tomasi
12/5/2016 05:03:06 pm

Just as Sitibeni L Ranuka is duty bound to fix the problems he caused, he is morally bound to disclose the truth, the whole truth and nothing about the truth about the first military coup in 1987 and his role in the 2000 political fiasco. He must do so publically, fully and with sincere and genuine remorse for the sole purpose of national restoration of integrity, righteousness and excellent leadership and governance. Siti is a far better person and has a superior brain and courage than Voreqe,in many ways and the two are simply public faces of leadership gone wrong. Their stories must be part of our history for our children not to follow.

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