SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s President Ratu Josefa Iloilo has received a letter informing him of his suspension from the Great Council of Chiefs.
Ratu Josefa’s permanent secretary Rupeni Nacewa said the president received a similar letter sent to other suspended members of the GCC.
“‘He is being suspended as a member of the GCC and not as the president,” Nacewa said.
Nacewa said Ratu Josefa has been a member of the GCC for Vuda even before taking on the highest office in the land.
“‘Yes, he received a letter from the Minister for Fijian Affairs, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, explaining the suspension of the members of the GCC,”’ Nacewa said.
Asked what the president’s reaction was, Nacewa said he accepted the decision.
The GCC was suspended after two of Fiji’s three confederacies rejected Ratu Josefa’s choice for vice president, at its meeting at Lami early last month.
The president had nominated interim foreign affairs minister and chief, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to be vice president.
In related news, Fiji will be on the agenda of a meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Washington, D.C. next week.
A statement from the United States Embassy here in Suva said the meeting will discuss the importance of good governance and the rule of law in the region and how to help Fiji return to democracy.
The U.S. has been vocal in calling for the return to democracy in Fiji following the overthrow of the government by the military last December.
Fiji interim Prime Minister and military chief Frank Bainimarama has not been invited to the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders in Washington.