Vice-President of Fiji

The Fijian 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.^[1] 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.^[2] Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was appointed Vice-President the following day.^[3]

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".^[4]

The following persons have held the office of Vice-President:

First Vice-President

1. Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia: 1990 – 2 June 1992
2. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara: 2 June 1992 – 15 December 1993‡
3. vacant: 15 December 1993 – 12 January 1994
4. Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia: 12 January 1994 – 17 November 1997†
5. Ratu Inoke Takiveikata: 17 November 1997 – 18 January 1999

Second Vice-President

1. Ratu Inoke Takiveikata: 1990 – 2 June 1992
2. Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia: 2 June 1992 – 12 January 1994
3. Ratu Inoke Takiveikata: 12 January 1994 – 17 November 1997
4. Ratu Josefa Iloilo: 17 November 1997 – 18 January 2000

Vice-President (single office)

1. Ratu Josefa Iloilo: 18 January 1999 – 29 May 2000‡
2. vacant: 29 May 2000 – 25 March 2001
3. Ratu Jope Seniloli: 25 March 2001 – 29 November 2004
4. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi: 15 December 2004 – 5 December 2006
5. vacant: 5 December 2006 – 17 April 2009
6. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau: 17 April 2009 – 30 July 2009‡
7. vacant: 30 July 2009 - Present

† died in office
‡ succeeded to the presidency

References