Berenado Vunibobo

H.E.
Berenado Vunibobo
Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Fiji Islands
In office
2008–2010
Preceded by Isikia Savua
Succeeded by Peter Thomson
In office
1978–1980
Preceded by Semesa Sikivou
Succeeded by Filipe Bole

Berenado Vunibobo was Fiji's permanent representative to the United Nations from 1976–1980 and from 2008–2010,[1][2][3] and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Civil Aviation 1997-1998. During his second term, he represented the unelected Fiji government led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. Vunibobo's predecessor, Isikia Savua, had suggested that one of his tasks would be to counteract potential pressure from countries such as Australia or New Zealand who might seek to have Fiji removed from United Nations peacekeeping operations[4] - which indeed they did.[5] Vunibobo agreed with the assessment, and stated:

“The biggest challenge for me, looking at our current situation, is to try and update various people of the developments here in our country. We lack the resources our critics have and we can see that these critics are putting pressure on the UN and British government not to recruit peacekeepers from Fiji.”[6]

He was succeeded in February 2010 by Peter Thomson.[7]

See also

References

  1. "History of the Mission", official website of Fiji's Mission to the United Nations
  2. "Foreign postings", Fiji Times, March 13, 2008
  3. "Fiji Appoints Envoy To UN", All Headline News, February 9, 2010
  4. "Vunibobo faces challenging task defending Fiji's regime", Fiji Times, March 23, 2008
  5. "UN To Consider Fiji On 'Case By Case Basis'", Scoop.co.nz, May 20, 2007
  6. "Vunibobo aims to remove stains of Fiji", Fijilive, April 3, 2008
  7. "Thomson appointed Permanent Rep to the United Nations", February 5, 2010, Fiji government website