The Conservative Alliance (Matanitu Vanua in
Fijian) was a right-wing
political party
A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or p ...
in
Fiji, and a member of the ruling
coalition government. It was commonly known as the CAMV, a combination of the initials of its English and Fijian names. At its annual general meeting on 17 February 2006, the party voted to dissolve itself and merge with its coalition partner, the
Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
The United Fiji Party ( fj, Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, SDL) was a political party in Fiji. It was founded in 2001 by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as a power base; it absorbed most of the Christian Democratic Alliance and other conse ...
(SDL). The President of the party at the time of its dissolution was
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Tanoa Cakobau
''Pelusios'' is a genus of African side-necked turtles. With 17 described species, it is one of the most diverse genera of the turtle order (Testudines).
Etymology
The Latin name ''Pelusios'' means "mud" or "clay", and this is reflected by the ...
, a
Bauan
Bauan, officially the Municipality of Bauan ( tgl, Bayan ng Bauan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 90,819 people.
History
Religious attribution and mi ...
chief, while
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Josefa Dimuri served as General Secretary. For legal reasons, Parliamentary members of the disbanded party maintained a separate
caucus in the House of Representatives, under the leadership of
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu (born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current speaker of the parliament. He had served as the leader of the opposition.
Tui Cakau
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glan ...
, until the end of the parliamentary term, on 27 March 2006.
Party founding
The Conservative Alliance was publicly launched at
Furnival Park in
Toorak,
Suva, on 15 June 2001 by defectors who broke away from the
Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei
The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT), occasionally known in English as Fijian Political Party, was a party which dominated the politics of Fiji in the 1990s and was the mainstay of coalition governments from 1992 to 1999.
Origins
The par ...
, which had governed the country from 1992 to 1999, when it lost the
general elections
A general election is a political voting election where generally all or most members of a given political body are chosen. These are usually held for a nation, state, or territory's primary legislative body, and are different from by-elections ( ...
held that year. As part of its founding ideology, the party emphasized that the offices of
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
and
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...
should be reserved for
indigenous Fijians, and that
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
should be
constitutionally established as the country's
official religion
A state religion (also called religious state or official religion) is a religion or creed officially endorsed by a sovereign state. A state with an official religion (also known as confessional state), while not secular, is not necessarily a th ...
. Among those attending the launch was the Rev.
Tomasi Kanailagi, President of the
Methodist Church.
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, a
Kubuna
Kubuna is one of the three ''confederacies'' that make up Fiji's House of Chiefs, to which all of Fiji's chiefs belong.
Details of Kubuna
It consists of the provinces of Tailevu, Naitasiri, Lomaiviti, Ra and parts of the western province of ...
chief, was appointed President of the party, with
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of
Tovata
Tovata is one of three ''confederacies'' comprising the Fijian House of Chiefs, to which all of Fiji's chiefs belong.
Details of Tovata
It is located in the north east of the country, covering the provinces of Bua, Macuata and Cakaudrove on ...
and
Ro Alivereti Tuisawau of
Burebasaga
Burebasaga is the largest of the three confederacies that make up Fiji's House of Chiefs, to which some of the Fijian chiefs belong.
Composition of Burebasaga
It consists of the provinces of Rewa Province, Nadroga, Serua, Kadavu off the coa ...
as the two Vice-Presidents, thus representing at the apex of the party the leading chiefly clans from the three confederacies to which all
Fijian chiefs
Fijian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to the country of Fiji
* The Fijians, persons from Fiji, or of Fijian descent. For more information about the Fijian people, see:
** Demographics of Fiji
** Culture of Fiji
* The Fijian langua ...
belong.
Ratu Josefa Dimuri was appointed General Secretary of the party.
The 2001 election
George Speight
George Speight (born 1957) is a Fijian businessman and politician who was the leader of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, in which he and rebel soldiers from Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit seized the Fijian Parliament and held Prime Minister ...
, who led the civilian
coup d'état
A coup d'état (; French for 'stroke of state'), also known as a coup or overthrow, is a seizure and removal of a government and its powers. Typically, it is an illegal seizure of power by a political faction, politician, cult, rebel group, m ...
against the elected government of
Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry ( hif, महेन्द्र पाल चौधरी; born 9 February 1942) is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former lead ...
in May 2000, joined the new party, as did many of his supporters. In the
parliamentary election
A general election is a political voting election where generally all or most members of a given political body are chosen. These are usually held for a nation, state, or territory's primary legislative body, and are different from by-elections ( ...
held to restore democracy in August 2001, the party fielded candidates in 36 of the 71 electorates. Six of their candidates were elected to the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
, including Speight. (Unable to take his seat due to his imprisonment on treason charges, Speight was subsequently expelled from Parliament for nonattendance, and his brother,
Samisoni Tikoinasau
Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight is a Fijian politician, who held Cabinet office as Minister of State for Public Utilities and Reforms, to which he was appointed after parliamentary election of May 2006. Previously, he was Minister for Lands and M ...
, won the ensuing byelection to fill the vacancy).
To secure a legislative majority, the
Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
The United Fiji Party ( fj, Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, SDL) was a political party in Fiji. It was founded in 2001 by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as a power base; it absorbed most of the Christian Democratic Alliance and other conse ...
(SDL) of
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase (pronounced ; 4 February 1941 – 21 April 2020) was a Fijian politician. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase ...
forged a coalition agreement with the Conservative Alliance. The party initially insisted on Speight's release from jail as the price of its participation in the government, but later dropped this demand. The then leader of the party,
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Rakuita Vakalalabure, was appointed
Deputy Speaker of the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
, and two members of the caucus were appointed to the
Cabinet.
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu (born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current speaker of the parliament. He had served as the leader of the opposition.
Tui Cakau
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glan ...
became Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and
Isireli Leweniqila became Minister for Youth, Employment Opportunities, and sport. As part of a deal brokered between the
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
and the insurrectionists,
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Jope Seniloli
''Ratu'' Jope Naucabalavu Seniloli (14 June 1939 – 28 June 2015) was a Fijian chief who held 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 ...
, another party stalwart, had already been appointed
Vice-President
A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on ...
in September 2000, following the end of the rebellion.
Alleged FLP offer
At the annual general meeting held to dissolve the party on 17 February 2006, coup-convict
Simione Drole claimed that the
Fiji Labour Party
The Fiji Labour Party (FLP; fj, Ilawalawa Cakacaka ni Viti), also known as Fiji Labour, is a political party in Fiji. Most of its support is from the Indo-Fijian community, although it is officially multiracial and its first leader was an i ...
had made an offer to the CAMV after the 2001 election. All six CAMV parliamentarians, including coup frontsman
George Speight
George Speight (born 1957) is a Fijian businessman and politician who was the leader of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, in which he and rebel soldiers from Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit seized the Fijian Parliament and held Prime Minister ...
, would be given
Cabinet office; one of them would be offered the post of
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...
. All prisoners held on coup-related offences would also be freed in return for CAMV support,
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
quoted Drole as saying. ''"This information was relayed to us on Nukulau by CAMV lawyer Kitione Vuataki,"'' Drole told the meeting. He went on to claim that the CAMV had made the very difficult decision to refuse the offer; the prospect of freedom was tempting, he said, but the priority was to ensure that an ethnic Fijian government held office.
FLP leader
Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry ( hif, महेन्द्र पाल चौधरी; born 9 February 1942) is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former lead ...
rejected Drole's claims as "utter lies." ''"Drole should have his head examined,"'' he said.
Arrest of CAMV members
In 2004, a number of high-profile members of the Conservative Alliance were arrested and charged with treason for their roles in the 2000 coup. On 6 August 2004, Vice-President Seniloli and Deputy Speaker Vakalalabure were convicted and sentenced to terms of four and six years' imprisonment respectively. Youth, Employment, and Sports Minister Leweniqila was acquitted; Justice
Nazhat Shameem
Nazhat Shameem Khan (born 1960) is a Fijian diplomat and former judge who served as the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations from 2014 to 2022. She was also the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2021. S ...
accepted his defence that he had been coerced into taking an illegal oath of office during the coup.
Anxious to retain the support of his coalition partner, and shore up his electoral base in the
Bau-
Tailevu
Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji.
Overview
One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas. At the 2017 ...
region, in which Seniloli is an influential chief, Prime Minister Qarase said that he was "dismayed by the severity of the sentences" handed down. His government indicated, however, that it would not interfere with the due process of law. On 29 November 2004, however,
Attorney General Qoriniasi Bale announced that the government had decided to
parole
Parole (also known as provisional release or supervised release) is a form of early release of a prison inmate where the prisoner agrees to abide by certain behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated parole officers, or ...
Seniloli on health grounds, in return for his resignation.
A similar scenario unfolded in the trial of Ratu Lalabalavu, the party leader, and
Senator ''Ratu'' Josefa Dimuri, also a party member. On 3 April 2005, Lalabalavu and Dimuri were convicted of
unlawful assembly Unlawful assembly is a legal term to describe a group of people with the mutual intent of deliberate disturbance of the peace. If the group is about to start an act of disturbance, it is termed a rout; if the disturbance is commenced, it is then ter ...
for their role aiding and abetting the 2000 coup by visiting rebels at the
Sukanaivalu Barracks on 4 July that year, and were sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. They were released on
parole
Parole (also known as provisional release or supervised release) is a form of early release of a prison inmate where the prisoner agrees to abide by certain behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated parole officers, or ...
after serving just eleven days of their sentences.
Opposition politicians charged that the release of Seniloli, Lalabalavu, and Dimuri was for political reasons, as the six votes of the Conservative Alliance are needed to maintain the government's parliamentary majority. The
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
also criticized their release. This led to a series of exchanged in April 2005, with the Conservative Alliance accusing the
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
of meddling in politics, and the military in turn charging that Alliance politicians included many who had "created havoc" in the 2000 coup. In a strongly worded statement on 25 April 2005, army spokesman
Captain Neumi Leweni declared, ''"The RFMF would like to remind the CAMV that they were the very people who created the havoc from which the country is still trying to recover."''
Trials of persons implicated in the 2000 coup, many of them Conservative Alliance members, are continuing.
Controversies, 2005-2006
A power struggle between the President and General Secretary of the party took place in September 2005. On 30 July 2005, Cakobau signed an agreement with four other parties to establish an
electoral coalition
An electoral alliance (also known as a bipartisan electoral agreement, electoral pact, electoral agreement, electoral coalition or electoral bloc) is an association of political parties or individuals that exists solely to stand in elections.
Ea ...
of parties supported mostly by
indigenous Fijians to contest the
general election scheduled for 2006. Sivo opposed the decision, and said that Cakobau had acted without proper authority. Each subsequently called on the other to resign, and on 9 August, Cakobau said that he expected Sivo to be replaced by his predecessor,
Ratu Josefa Dimuri. Sivo countered that he had no intention of relinquishing his position, and said that he could be only removed if the party judged him unfit for the post. He reiterated on 16 September that he would not stand aside for Dimuri. Responding to a letter that Cakobau had sent to Dimuri reinstating him, Sivo said that Cakobau had no such powers. He accused him of taking advantage of the famous
Cakobau name to make unilateral decisions that were beyond his authority.
The public disagreement between Cakobau and Sivo appeared to be related to a wider debate about the policies and effectiveness of the party as a member of the ruling coalition. Without naming particular individuals, Sivo criticized certain colleagues on the CAMV executive on 17 September of being too subservient to the
Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
The United Fiji Party ( fj, Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, SDL) was a political party in Fiji. It was founded in 2001 by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as a power base; it absorbed most of the Christian Democratic Alliance and other conse ...
, the dominant partner in the ruling coalition. The party should have pushed for the
Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill three years ago, Sivo said. The controversial legislation, promoted by the government in 2005, proposed to establish a commission empowered to compensate victims and pardon perpetrators of the 2000
coup, many of whom were supporters of the CAMV.
Policies
The CAMV contested the 2001 election on a platform calling for a greater emphasis on indigenous rights and the proclamation of
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
(the faith of most
ethnic Fijians, but relatively few
Indo-Fijians
Indo-Fijians or Indian-Fijians (also known as Fiji Indians) are Fijian citizens of Indian descent, and include people who trace their ancestry to various regions of the Indian subcontinent.Girmit by Suresh Prasad Although Indo-Fijians constitu ...
), as the official religion of Fiji. Officially, the party accepts the
1997 Constitution, calling it "a workable document," but in practice many of its elected representatives have strongly criticized it.
Despite its strongly nationalist image, reinforced by the arrest and conviction of many of its members for participation in the 2000 coup, the CAMV claims to espouse nonracial policies. The party President, Ratu Tanoa Cakobau, said on 8 June 2005 that anybody respected by the population could be Prime Minister, regardless of his or her race or status. He said this in response to a comment from
Poseci Bune, Deputy Leader of the
Fiji Labour Party
The Fiji Labour Party (FLP; fj, Ilawalawa Cakacaka ni Viti), also known as Fiji Labour, is a political party in Fiji. Most of its support is from the Indo-Fijian community, although it is officially multiracial and its first leader was an i ...
, that the country should be ready for a non-indigenous Prime Minister.
Merger with SDL
Party President
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Tanoa Cakobau
''Pelusios'' is a genus of African side-necked turtles. With 17 described species, it is one of the most diverse genera of the turtle order (Testudines).
Etymology
The Latin name ''Pelusios'' means "mud" or "clay", and this is reflected by the ...
announced on 9 February 2006 that the party would contest
Fijian communal and
open constituencies
{{Politics of Fiji
Open constituencies represent one of several electoral models employed in the past in the Fijian electoral system. They derived their name from the fact that they were "open": unlike the communal constituencies, the 25 members ...
in the
upcoming election. In another development, however, it was announced on 16 February 2006 that the party would be deregistering, in order to merge with the
Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
The United Fiji Party ( fj, Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, SDL) was a political party in Fiji. It was founded in 2001 by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as a power base; it absorbed most of the Christian Democratic Alliance and other conse ...
(SDL) ahead of the elections.
Fiji Television
Fiji Television Limited is one of Fiji's main television network. It was founded on 15 June 1994 as the first permanent commercial television broadcasting network in the country, although television had previously been introduced temporarily ...
reported on 20 February that a letter alleged to have been written by Ratu Tanoa Cakobau had requested that the six CAMV parliamentarians be endorsed, unopposed, as SDL candidates. The SDL confirmed having received letter, written in
Fijian and addressed to Prime Minister Qarase and to the SDL President, but Cakobau said that some portions of it were not authentic; his name had been written differently from the way he uses it official correspondence, he said.
The Prime Minister responded that all candidacies for the SDL were open, and that there would be no automatic endorsement of candidates, ex-CAMV or otherwise. All would have to go through the required selection procedure.
The next day,
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
revealed that in addition to the six parliamentarians, five other CAMV figures were seeking endorsement as SDL candidates.
Radio New Zealand quoted Party President
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Tanoa Cakobau
''Pelusios'' is a genus of African side-necked turtles. With 17 described species, it is one of the most diverse genera of the turtle order (Testudines).
Etymology
The Latin name ''Pelusios'' means "mud" or "clay", and this is reflected by the ...
as saying on 28 February that the party had sacrificed little in its merger with the SDL. The party had abandoned its goal of freeing all coup convicts as long ago as 2002, he claimed. ''"We had to reconsider everything, in the beginning we were all out for everything, but then we realised that there’s something called the law that we had to respect, we had to follow. And through that process most of my party members, except myself, went to jail,"'' Cakobau said.
The merger was not quite finalized until 3 July 2006, when the party was officially deregistered. General Secretary
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Rakuita Vakalalabure said on 28 February that the party was seeking legal advice after questions had been raised concerning the legality of the merger; his successor as General Secretary,
Ropate Sivo, had said that CAMV parliamentarians could not legally remain in office if their political party was dissolved. Official deregistration, therefore, would likely have to await the end of the current parliamentary session, a stance he reiterated on 3 March. Sivo, for his part, told
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
that he planned to meet
Opposition Leader
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry ( hif, महेन्द्र पाल चौधरी; born 9 February 1942) is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former lead ...
to discuss the matter. On 20 February, however, Prime Minister Qarase said that there was no question of the six CAMV parliamentarians being disqualified. Despite the dissolution of the party, they would continue to sit under the auspices of the CAMV, he said.
The
Fiji Sun
''Fiji Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Fiji since September 1999 and owned by Sun News Limited. ''Fiji Sun'' was founded by and is part of CJ. Patel Group.
The Fiji Sun has its main newsroom in Suva, Fiji. Its print center remains in su ...
reported on 10 March that CAMV parliamentarian and lawyer
Niko Nawaikula
Niko Nawaikula (born 16 August 1960) also known as Nikolau Tuiqamea, is a Fijian lawyer, and a former member of the Parliament of Fiji. He is a member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party. In May 2022 he was convicted of giving false informatio ...
had inquired of the
Supervisor of Elections about the procedures to follow for deregistering the party.
Factors influencing the merger
The decision to deregister the party was formalized at the party's annual general meeting the next day. Despite some dissent, the motion was passed on a voice vote.
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu (born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current speaker of the parliament. He had served as the leader of the opposition.
Tui Cakau
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glan ...
told the meeting that in accordance with Fijian protocol,
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Josefa Iloilo
Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, (29 December 1920 – 6 February 2011) was a Fijian politician who served as the 3rd President of Fiji from 2000 until 2009, excluding a brief period from 5 December 2006 to 4 January 2007 (see below). He ...
had been informed of the decision, as had the chiefs of
Vanua Levu
Vanua Levu (pronounced ), formerly known as Sandalwood Island, is the second largest island of Fiji. Located to the north of the larger Viti Levu, the island has an area of and a population of 135,961 .
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically ...
,
Naitasiri
:see also Naitasiri District
Naitasiri is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji and one of eight located on Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island.
Geography and infrastructure
Naitasiri covers an area of , and occupies the area mostly to the north of Suva, ...
, and
Tailevu
Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji.
Overview
One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas. At the 2017 ...
- the areas where the party has the most support. The party executive called on all indigenous-led parties to follow their lead and unite under the banner of the SDL, in order to present the electorate with a united front to guarantee continued indigenous national leadership. Lalabalavu said that the party was concerned about continued imprisonment of persons convicted of the
Fiji coup of 2000, many of them CAMV supporters, but considered that the SDL-led government was addressing that matter through its
Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill.
The
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
news service claimed on 19 February that financial considerations may have played a role in the decision to disband the CAMV. The SDL had reportedly donated
F$15,000 to pay the legal fees of prominent citizens, many of them CAMV supporters, who were implicated in the 2000 coup a point highlighted at the CAMV meeting. The party leader,
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu (born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current speaker of the parliament. He had served as the leader of the opposition.
Tui Cakau
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glan ...
, was also quoted as telling opponents of the merger that their failure to contribute to the party's coffers had left it with insufficient funds to continue as a viable party. Party treasurer
Jone Kauvesi concurred, saying that the CAMV bank account of
F$36,351.07 on 26 May 2004 had been boosted to
F$50,713.36 on 7 July by the SDL donation, but by February 2006 his had been depleted and only
F$3235.31 remained. The bulk of the fund - over
F$31,000 had gone in legal fees, Kauvesi said, with the
Abhay Singh and Associates legal firm alone being paid
F$7,400. Travel, funeral expenses, advertising in newspapers, byelection campaigns, and meetings had accounted for the rest.
The SDL appeared to see the merger from a different point of view from the CAMV. According to a
Radio New Zealand report on 18 February, SDL campaign director
Jale Baba
Jale Baba in Lautoka is a Fijian businessman and political organizer. A forestry graduate of the Australian National University, he worked for Fiji Pine Limited for more than 20 years, before leaving in 1999 to start his own company- Baba Fo ...
said that the CAMV had dissolved of its own accord and joined the SDL, not that the two parties had merged. ''"In fact there’s a misconception that there’s a merger between the two parties. What has happened is that the CAMV has decided to wind up that party and for them to become members of the SDL party,"'' Baba said.
Reaction to the merger
The
Fiji Sun
''Fiji Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Fiji since September 1999 and owned by Sun News Limited. ''Fiji Sun'' was founded by and is part of CJ. Patel Group.
The Fiji Sun has its main newsroom in Suva, Fiji. Its print center remains in su ...
quoted former
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...
Sitiveni Rabuka
Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, (; born 13 September 1948) is a Fijian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. He was democratically elected as Prime Minist ...
as hailing the merger as "the way forward for the Fijian people."
Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party general secretary
Viliame Savu, however, condemned the merger.
Fiji Labour Party
The Fiji Labour Party (FLP; fj, Ilawalawa Cakacaka ni Viti), also known as Fiji Labour, is a political party in Fiji. Most of its support is from the Indo-Fijian community, although it is officially multiracial and its first leader was an i ...
leader
Mahendra Chaudhry
Mahendra Pal Chaudhry ( hif, महेन्द्र पाल चौधरी; born 9 February 1942) is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former lead ...
said that the merger could misfire. He doubted that all CAMV supporters would transfer their allegiance to the SDL, thinking it more likely that some would move to other parties at election time.
United Peoples Party leader
Mick Beddoes similarly judged the decision to be unwise.
Fiji Village
''Fiji Village'' (stylised ''Fijivillage'') is an online news website in Fiji which is fully owned and operated by Communications Fiji Limited. It covers local, political, business, sporting, cultural, and other news items.
''Fiji Village'' is ...
quoted him on the 19th as saying that the merger could further polarize Fiji's ethnic communities.
The
Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei
The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT), occasionally known in English as Fijian Political Party, was a party which dominated the politics of Fiji in the 1990s and was the mainstay of coalition governments from 1992 to 1999.
Origins
The par ...
(SVT), from which the CAMV originally broke away, said on 23 February 2006 that not all CAMV members supported the merger with the SDL.
Ema Druavesi, General Secretary of the SVT, told the
Fiji Village
''Fiji Village'' (stylised ''Fijivillage'') is an online news website in Fiji which is fully owned and operated by Communications Fiji Limited. It covers local, political, business, sporting, cultural, and other news items.
''Fiji Village'' is ...
news service that the door was open for former CAMV members to join the SVT.
People's National Party
The People's National Party (PNP) is a social-democratic political party in Jamaica, founded in 1938 by independence campaigner Osmond Theodore Fairclough. It holds 14 of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives, as 96 of the 227 local go ...
(PNP) General Secretary
Meli Bogileka
Ratu Meli Bogileka is a Fijian politician. He was the Secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) up to its decision to merge into the Party of National Unity (PANU) on 5 March 2006. This merger, an affair complicated by several about-tur ...
also criticized the merger, and said that the PNP was reconsidering its position in the
Grand Coalition Initiative Group.
In a statement written in
Fijian and released on 22 February, the
Military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
criticized the merger as a sign of increasing ethno-nationalism, which it described as a threat to the country's long-term stability. For the SDL to accept the CAMV members into its ranks was a betrayal of the trust the Military had invested in Qarase when appointing him Prime Minister in 2000 and supporting him subsequently,
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
(23 February) reported the statement as saying. The 23 February edition of the
Fiji Times
''The Fiji Times'' is a daily English-language newspaper published in Suva, Fiji. Established in Levuka on 4 September 1869 by George Littleton Griffiths, it is Fiji's oldest newspaper still operating.
''The Fiji Times'' is owned by Motibhai G ...
quoted Rabukawaqa as saying that certain political elements would stop at nothing to pursue their personal political ambitions. They wish to continue to keep the masses in abject poverty so that they can be beguiled by the continued lie of foreigners wanting to take their land from them,"'' Rabukawaqa said. Rabukawaqa said that nationalism was a good thing when it was state based, but could only lead to hatred and instability if based on ethnicity.
A new CAMV?
CAMV members objecting to the merger with the SDL included
Ropate Sivo, the former General Secretary. He told
Fiji Village
''Fiji Village'' (stylised ''Fijivillage'') is an online news website in Fiji which is fully owned and operated by Communications Fiji Limited. It covers local, political, business, sporting, cultural, and other news items.
''Fiji Village'' is ...
that he was seeking legal advice on whether the vote to dissolve the party had been conducted legally. He had visited
Metuisela Mua,
Eroni Lewaqai and
Viliame Sousouwai in prison (where they are serving for coup-related offences) and had been advised by them to pursue legal action, he said.
George Speight
George Speight (born 1957) is a Fijian businessman and politician who was the leader of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, in which he and rebel soldiers from Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit seized the Fijian Parliament and held Prime Minister ...
and the former leader,
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Rakuita Vakalalabure were also adamantly opposed to the merger, he claimed.
Sivo reiterated his opposition to the merger on 27 February, saying that it breached the constitution of the party. Only the management board could authorize a dissolution, and
Tailevu
Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji.
Overview
One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas. At the 2017 ...
was the only
Province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman '' provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
represented at the meeting, the
Fiji Sun
''Fiji Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Fiji since September 1999 and owned by Sun News Limited. ''Fiji Sun'' was founded by and is part of CJ. Patel Group.
The Fiji Sun has its main newsroom in Suva, Fiji. Its print center remains in su ...
quoted him as claiming. The move was a private agreement between the SDL and
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Naiqama Lalabalavu
Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu (born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current speaker of the parliament. He had served as the leader of the opposition.
Tui Cakau
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glan ...
, he said, adding that many who disagreed with the merger were remaining silent only because of their traditional obligation to Lalabalavu as a Paramount Chief. He made a strong attack on Prime Minister Qarase, calling on him to resign, and mooted the establishment of a new party under the old CAMV label.
Sivo rejected claims made by General Secretary
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Josefa Dimuri that the party had begun in the north of the country and largely built by Lalabalvu,
Isireli Leweniqila, and himself. On the contrary, Sivo claimed that the groundwork had been laid by Vakalalabure, his brother
Ratu Tevita, and himself; Sivo had provided part of his own restaurant in
Suva for a party office, he claimed. ''"These people joined the bandwagon when it was up and running. That is why they don’t have the foresight to complete the work we have started, and that is to fulfill the aspirations of the Fijian people and the release of our brothers in jail,"'' the
Fiji Sun
''Fiji Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Fiji since September 1999 and owned by Sun News Limited. ''Fiji Sun'' was founded by and is part of CJ. Patel Group.
The Fiji Sun has its main newsroom in Suva, Fiji. Its print center remains in su ...
(1 March) quoted him as saying. He accused Dimuri of failing to read a letter at the meeting held to dissolve the party; Dimuri countered by saying that no such letter had been received. Sivo affirmed his belief in the ideals articulated by the Speight-led
Taukei Cabinet on 19 May 2000, saying that they would never die.
Countering Sivo's version, the
Fiji Times
''The Fiji Times'' is a daily English-language newspaper published in Suva, Fiji. Established in Levuka on 4 September 1869 by George Littleton Griffiths, it is Fiji's oldest newspaper still operating.
''The Fiji Times'' is owned by Motibhai G ...
(2 March) quoted Dimuri as saying that the meeting to dissolve the party had been attended by over four hundred cadres and that the decision to join the SDL had been nearly unanimous. He rejected Sivo's claims about the origins of the party, saying that he personally had registered the party in
Labasa
Labasa (pronounced ) is a town in Fiji with a population of 27,949 at the most recent census held in 2007.
Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. T ...
. He also denied that George Speight had opposed the decision, saying that if he had objected to the dissolution of the party, he would have informed his brother and CAMV
Cabinet Minister Samisoni Tikoinasau
Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight is a Fijian politician, who held Cabinet office as Minister of State for Public Utilities and Reforms, to which he was appointed after parliamentary election of May 2006. Previously, he was Minister for Lands and M ...
, who visited him regularly in prison.
Fiji Live
''Fijilive'' is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder.
''Fijilive'' is one of Fiji's largest websites. The site rose to ...
quoted a
Fiji Sun
''Fiji Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Fiji since September 1999 and owned by Sun News Limited. ''Fiji Sun'' was founded by and is part of CJ. Patel Group.
The Fiji Sun has its main newsroom in Suva, Fiji. Its print center remains in su ...
report on 13 June 2006 as saying that Sivo had announced plans to revive the party, with a view to campaigning for the release of George Speight and other parties to the 2000 coup.
Revival
On 9 September 2008, former members of the Conservative Alliance applied to re-register the party with the Electoral Commission so it can contest the next election.
The new incarnation of the party will be led by
Ropate Sivo.
References
{{Political parties in Fiji
Defunct political parties in Fiji
Political parties established in 2001
Political parties disestablished in 2006
National conservative parties
Social conservative parties
Right-wing parties