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Fiji suspension lifted, return uncertain [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday, October 27, 2014 - 20:34.  Updated on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 17:01.

Fiji’s six-year suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum has finally ended with its lifting by the Forum last Wednesday 22 October. However, whether or not Fiji’s government chooses to return to the Pacific Island’s Forum is another matter.

The decision comes a month after Fiji held democratic elections for the first time since its coup and military takeover in 2006. Coup-leader Frank Bainimarama was elected as Prime Minister after a landslide victory. 

The lifting of the suspension was announced by the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, President Tommy Remengesau of Palau. He stated “The Forum leaders were unanimous in decision to lift Fiji’s suspension from the Forum based on a recommendation to Leaders by the Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) on Fiji.”

 “I offer again our warm congratulations to the newly elected Government of Prime Minister Bainimarama and commend the people of Fiji for their full participation in the historic election of their leaders and representatives, culminating in results that reflect the will and mandate of the Fijian People”.

However it is uncertain if Fiji will return to Pacific Islands Forum. Bainimarama's government has been critical of the Forum because its membership includes Australia and New Zealand. Bainimarama made conditions earlier this year that Fiji would not return to the Pacific Islands Forum unless Australia and New Zealand quit. Fiji opposition leader, Ro Teimumu has condemned Bainimarama's demands as unreasonable.

Fiji was suspended from the Pacific Islands forum in May 2009 after its coup government failed to satisfy democratic requirements making it the first country ever to be suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Pacific Islands Forum [2]
Fiji [3]
Bainimarama [4]
Fiji [5]
Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2014/10/27/fiji-suspension-lifted-return-uncertain

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2014/10/27/fiji-suspension-lifted-return-uncertain [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/pacific-islands-forum?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/fiji?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/bainimarama?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/topic/fiji?page=1