SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s self-appointed president and military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, is expected to hand over executive authority to ousted President Ratu Josefa Iloilo this month.
Military spokesman Maj. Neumi Leweni confirmed statements made by the commander on a Fijian vernacular radio program on Saturday.
“This will take place from mid this month to the end of the month,” Leweni said.
The chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Ovini Bokini, welcomed the announcement.
“We are very happy about that and we welcome that,” he said.
Bainimarama was reported as saying that he could not verify the date but that he would hand over executive authority to Ratu Josefa.
Arya Pratindhi Sabha President Kamlesh Arya said the commander should be commended for keeping to his word.
“That’s the best New Year announcement he has made and I think the nation should commend him for that,” he said. “Having taken the executive authority to conduct his cleanup campaign on Dec. 5 and by handing it back, Fiji could not have asked for anything better. On behalf of the Sabha, I commend Commodore Bainimarama for ensuring that the country returns to democratic governance as soon as possible. We as an NGO look forward to the day when he officially does that.”
Transparency International chairman Hari Pal Singh said the move is a positive one.
“It’s a step to leading the country toward normalcy as well as setting the pace for a democratically elected government in due course.”