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Voreqe Bainimarama

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Fiji police suspend questioning of former AG Aiyaz in ‘hatred’ case

January 26, 2023

RNZ Pacific Police interviewing of FijiFirst Party general secretary and former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has reportedly been suspended but will continue later. FBC News reports the interview with Sayed-Khaiyum will continue. The police Chief of Intelligence and Investigations, Assistant Commissioner Surend Sami, told the state broadcaster the suspension is to allow investigators to verify issues ... <a title="Fiji police suspend questioning of former AG Aiyaz in ‘hatred’ case" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/26/fiji-police-suspend-questioning-of-former-ag-aiyaz-in-hatred-case/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji police suspend questioning of former AG Aiyaz in ‘hatred’ case">Read more</a>

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Fiji military chief’s sharp criticism of ‘ambition, speed’ of changes sparks anxiety

January 18, 2023

Pacific Media Watch Fiji’s military commander stirred a wave of anxiety today with an extraordinary statement claiming concern over the “ambition and speed” of political changes since last month’s election that could have “fateful” security consequences. Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, commander-in-chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), said in the statement that the ... <a title="Fiji military chief’s sharp criticism of ‘ambition, speed’ of changes sparks anxiety" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/18/fiji-military-chiefs-sharp-criticism-of-ambition-speed-of-changes-sparks-anxiety/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military chief’s sharp criticism of ‘ambition, speed’ of changes sparks anxiety">Read more</a>

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Fiji sacks PR consultants Qorvis Communications and Vatis

January 7, 2023

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirms termination of the Corvis contract. Video: The Fiji Times By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva Qorvis Communications and Vatis — the two controversial public relation companies employed by the FijiFirst government to manage its public relations work — have been terminated. This was confirmed by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka ... <a title="Fiji sacks PR consultants Qorvis Communications and Vatis" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/07/fiji-sacks-pr-consultants-qorvis-communications-and-vatis/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji sacks PR consultants Qorvis Communications and Vatis">Read more</a>

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FijiFirst seems to be ‘confused’ over role of Aiyaz, says Naidu

January 6, 2023

By Felix Chaudhary in Suva The opposition FijiFirst party still “seems to be confused” about the role of its general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says prominent Suva lawyer Richard Naidu. “Mr Sayed-Khaiyum appears to have triggered his exit from Parliament by accepting a position on the Constitutional Offices Commission,” he said. “That means he is a ... <a title="FijiFirst seems to be ‘confused’ over role of Aiyaz, says Naidu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/06/fijifirst-seems-to-be-confused-over-role-of-aiyaz-says-naidu/" aria-label="Read more about FijiFirst seems to be ‘confused’ over role of Aiyaz, says Naidu">Read more</a>

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Steven Ratuva: What an election in Fiji – some reflections, lessons

January 5, 2023

ANALYSIS: By Professor Steven Ratuva The highly anticipated 2022 election last month was a very close, emotionally charged and highly controversial affair. All that is behind us now and it is time to reflect on it critically and learn some important lessons as we welcome the dawn of 2023. Despite the Supervisor of Elections’ prediction ... <a title="Steven Ratuva: What an election in Fiji – some reflections, lessons" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/05/steven-ratuva-what-an-election-in-fiji-some-reflections-lessons/" aria-label="Read more about Steven Ratuva: What an election in Fiji – some reflections, lessons">Read more</a>

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Aiyaz ousted as Fiji MP over taking public office, rules Speaker

January 4, 2023

By Felix Chaudhary in Suva FijiFirst Party general secretary and former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is no longer a Member of Fiji’s Parliament, says Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. Ratu Naiqama said formal notices had been served to Sayed-Khaiyum, advising him that he had lost his seat in the House. “We have served notices to all his ... <a title="Aiyaz ousted as Fiji MP over taking public office, rules Speaker" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/04/aiyaz-ousted-as-fiji-mp-over-taking-public-office-rules-speaker/" aria-label="Read more about Aiyaz ousted as Fiji MP over taking public office, rules Speaker">Read more</a>

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Fiji’s PM Rabuka hits back: ‘We’ve every right to appoint and disappoint’

January 4, 2023

By Serafina Silaitoga in Suva Fiji’s coalition government has every right to “appoint and disappoint” under the 2013 Constitution, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. While responding to opposition Leader and former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s call to the coalition government to follow the 2013 Constitution in dealing with the employment of permanent secretaries, Rabuka said ... <a title="Fiji’s PM Rabuka hits back: ‘We’ve every right to appoint and disappoint’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/04/fijis-pm-rabuka-hits-back-weve-every-right-to-appoint-and-disappoint/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji’s PM Rabuka hits back: ‘We’ve every right to appoint and disappoint’">Read more</a>

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Rabuka elected Fiji’s new PM, ending Bainimarama’s 16-year reign

December 24, 2022

RNZ Pacific Former coup leader and ex-prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka was today elected Fiji’s new prime minister, winning 28 votes to Voreqe Bainimarama’s 27. The secret ballot vote in Parliament ends Bainimarama’s reign as leader of the country after 16 years. Bainimarama has dominated Fiji politics since he staged the 2006 military coup. Today’s result ... <a title="Rabuka elected Fiji’s new PM, ending Bainimarama’s 16-year reign" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/24/rabuka-elected-fijis-new-pm-ending-bainimaramas-16-year-reign/" aria-label="Read more about Rabuka elected Fiji’s new PM, ending Bainimarama’s 16-year reign">Read more</a>

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‘Merry Christmas Fiji – free at last’ as Sodelpa confirms joining coalition

December 24, 2022

By Timoci Vula in Suva “Merry Christmas Fiji!” This was the message to Fiji from kingmakers Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) management board member and MP Tanya Waqanika after their meeting in Suva ended this evening. Asked whether her Christmas wishes meant good news for the people of Fiji, she responded: “Free at last.” Waqanika ... <a title="‘Merry Christmas Fiji – free at last’ as Sodelpa confirms joining coalition" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/24/merry-christmas-fiji-free-at-last-as-sodelpa-confirms-joining-coalition/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Merry Christmas Fiji – free at last’ as Sodelpa confirms joining coalition">Read more</a>

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‘Writing on the wall’ for authoritarian FijiFirst government, says Ratuva

December 22, 2022

By Felix Chaudhary in Suva The incumbent FijiFirst government’s appeal was beginning to wane and voters deserted the party “because of what they saw as their authoritarian, non-inclusive, controlling and vindictive style of leadership”, says a leading Fijian academic with an international reputation. Professor Steven Ratuva, director of the New Zealand-based University of Canterbury’s Macmillan ... <a title="‘Writing on the wall’ for authoritarian FijiFirst government, says Ratuva" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/22/writing-on-the-wall-for-authoritarian-fijifirst-government-says-ratuva/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Writing on the wall’ for authoritarian FijiFirst government, says Ratuva">Read more</a>

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‘Nothing to concede’, says FijiFirst in wake of contested election

December 22, 2022

RNZ Pacific The ruling FijiFirst party is refusing to concede the 2022 general election, saying it can only be called after the election of the prime minister on the floor of Parliament. Its general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that under the Fiji constitution the government was still in place and Voreqe Bainimarama remained the prime ... <a title="‘Nothing to concede’, says FijiFirst in wake of contested election" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/22/nothing-to-concede-says-fijifirst-in-wake-of-contested-election/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Nothing to concede’, says FijiFirst in wake of contested election">Read more</a>

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Last shall be first … Fiji’s kingmaker party considering all options

December 19, 2022

By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific journalist The Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) has emerged as the kingmaker in Fiji’s contentious 2022 general election and its leader Viliame Gavoka is in no rush to punch his golden ticket. After a nightmare leadup to the election, with infighting resulting in a massive split in the party, many ... <a title="Last shall be first … Fiji’s kingmaker party considering all options" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/19/last-shall-be-first-fijis-kingmaker-party-considering-all-options/" aria-label="Read more about Last shall be first … Fiji’s kingmaker party considering all options">Read more</a>