South Pacific Leaders Join Australia and New Zealand in Condemning Fiji Interim PM’s Roadmap for Democracy

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji - Leaders around the South Pacific have joined Australia and New Zealand in criticizing Fiji’s recent announcement of the interim government's roadmap for the country’s return to democracy.

Australia and New Zealand were quick to voice their concerns after Fiji interim PM, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced he would delay the writing of the constitution for 3 years and would rule by decree until the democratic elections are held in 2014.

In addition, Australia and New Zealand leaders have dismissed Bainimarama’s request for support of his proposed roadmap.

Other leaders from around the South Pacific, are coming forward with their own concerns for Fiji’s democratic future. Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele, says that before the international community can support Bainimarama’s leadership, Fiji must return to democracy as a precondition.

Jim Marurai, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, says that the 3 year delay in writing the constitution and the 5 year delay in elections are unacceptable. He added that even when if the constitution is written in four years time, a duely elected Parliament must still approve it.

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Edward Natapei, has arranged a meeting of the four leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group to be held in Port Vila on July 10th. The Group hopes to discuss Fiji’s political future ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting next month in Cairns.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International - MSG to hold summit in Vanuatu next week - 03 July 2009

ABC Radio Australia - More regional reaction not good for Fiji leader - 03 July 2009