Vice-President of Fiji
Encyclopedia
The Fiji
an vice-presidency is a mostly ceremonial office. The position was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional
successor to the President, in the event of the latter's death or resignation, or of his otherwise being unable to carry out his duties. Initially, the Vice-Presidential office was divided between two persons, styled First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively, but a single person has held the office since 1999, when the 1997 Constitution of Fiji came into effect.
Under the terms of the 1997 Constitution
, the Vice-President is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, after consultation with the Prime Minister
. In April 2009, however, the Constitution was suspended
, following the earlier suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs in April 2007. Six days after the suspension of the Constitution, the government issued a decree stating that the Vice-President would henceforth be appointed by the President. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
was appointed Vice-President the following day.
Being appointees of the all-indigenous Great Council of Chiefs, Fiji's Vice-Presidents, like its Presidents, have all been indigenous Fijians
(of chiefly rank
). In 2007, Reverend Akuila Yabaki
, Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, suggested that "the time may be right now to allow a person from any race to take up this position".
The following persons have held the office of Vice-President:
† died in office
‡ succeeded to the presidency
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an vice-presidency is a mostly ceremonial office. The position was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional
Constitution of Fiji
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji was the supreme law of Fiji from its adoption in 1997 until 2009 when President Josefa Iloilo purported to abrogate it. It was also suspended for a period following the 2000 coup d'état led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama....
successor to the President, in the event of the latter's death or resignation, or of his otherwise being unable to carry out his duties. Initially, the Vice-Presidential office was divided between two persons, styled First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively, but a single person has held the office since 1999, when the 1997 Constitution of Fiji came into effect.
Under the terms of the 1997 Constitution
Constitution of Fiji
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji was the supreme law of Fiji from its adoption in 1997 until 2009 when President Josefa Iloilo purported to abrogate it. It was also suspended for a period following the 2000 coup d'état led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama....
, the Vice-President is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, after consultation with the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
. In April 2009, however, the Constitution was suspended
2009 Fijian constitutional crisis
The Fijian constitutional crisis of 2009 began on Friday, 10 April 2009. Fijian President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced on a nationwide radio broadcast that he had suspended the Constitution of Fiji, dismissed all judges and constitutional appointees and assumed all governance in the country after...
, following the earlier suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs in April 2007. Six days after the suspension of the Constitution, the government issued a decree stating that the Vice-President would henceforth be appointed by the President. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Epeli Nailatikau
Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, OStJ, is a Fijian chief and the current President of Fiji. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government...
was appointed Vice-President the following day.
Being appointees of the all-indigenous Great Council of Chiefs, Fiji's Vice-Presidents, like its Presidents, have all been indigenous Fijians
Fijian people
Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown...
(of chiefly rank
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
). In 2007, Reverend Akuila Yabaki
Akuila Yabaki
Akuila Yabaki is a Fijian human rights activist and Methodist clergyman. He is currently the Executive Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, a pro-democracy organization....
, Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, suggested that "the time may be right now to allow a person from any race to take up this position".
The following persons have held the office of Vice-President:
First Vice-President
- Ratu Sir Josaia TavaiqiaJosaia TavaiqiaRatu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia was a Fijian chief who served as one of two Vice-President of Fiji from 1990 until his death in 1997. ....
: 1990 – 2 June 1992 - Ratu Sir Kamisese MaraKamisese MaraRatu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBE is considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992...
: 2 June 1992 – 15 December 1993‡ - vacant: 15 December 1993 – 12 January 1994
- Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia: 12 January 1994 – 17 November 1997†
- Ratu Inoke TakiveikataInoke Takiveikata (Vice-President)Ratu Inoke Takiveikata served two non-consecutive terms in the 1990s as one of two Vice-Presidents of Fiji.His first term of office, which he shared with Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia, was from 1990 to 2 June 1992, when he stepped down in favour of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara...
: 17 November 1997 – 18 January 1999
Second Vice-President
- Ratu Inoke Takiveikata: 1990 – 2 June 1992
- Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia: 2 June 1992 – 12 January 1994
- Ratu Inoke Takiveikata: 12 January 1994 – 17 November 1997
- Ratu Josefa IloiloJosefa IloiloRatu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ was the President of Fiji from 2000 until 2009, excluding a brief period from 5 December 2006 until 4 January 2007 . He held the traditional title of Tui Vuda, the paramount chief of the Vuda district in Ba Province on Fiji's northwest coast...
: 17 November 1997 – 18 January 2000
Vice-President (single office)
- Ratu Josefa Iloilo: 18 January 1999 – 29 May 2000‡
- vacant: 29 May 2000 – 25 March 2001
- Ratu Jope SeniloliJope SeniloliRatu Jope Naucabalavu Seniloli is a Fijian chief who holds the title of Turaga Taukei Naua and who served as Fiji's Vice-President from 25 March 2001 to 29 November 2004, when he was forced to resign following his conviction for treason on August 6 2004, and the rejection of his appeal early in...
: 25 March 2001 – 29 November 2004 - Ratu Joni MadraiwiwiJoni MadraiwiwiRatu Joni Madraiwiwi is a Fijian lawyer, politician and was the Vice-President of Fiji from 2004 to 2006. He was sworn in on 10 January 2005, following his nomination by President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo and his subsequent approval by the Great Council of Chiefs on 15 December 2004...
: 15 December 2004 – 5 December 2006 - vacant: 5 December 2006 – 17 April 2009
- Ratu Epeli NailatikauEpeli NailatikauBrigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, OStJ, is a Fijian chief and the current President of Fiji. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government...
: 17 April 2009 – 30 July 2009‡ - vacant: 30 July 2009 - Present
† died in office
‡ succeeded to the presidency