Vice-President of Fiji

Vice-President of the
Republic of Fiji

Coat of arms of the Republic of Fiji
Appointer Great Council of Chiefs
Inaugural holder Josaia Tavaiqia
Inoke Takiveikata
Formation 1990
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The Fijian vice-presidency was 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. 2013 Constitution of Fiji doesn't include office of Vice-President, tranferring its powers to the Chief Justice.

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:

Vice-Presidents

First Vice-Presidents

Title Name Inaugurated Left Office Notes
First Vice-President Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia 1990 2 June 1992 Afterwards served as the Second Vice-President
First Vice-President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara 2 June 1992 15 December 1993 Succeeded to the Presidency
Vacant 15 December 1993 12 January 1994
First Vice-President Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 Previously served as the Second Vice-President. Died in office
First Vice-President Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 17 November 1997 18 January 1999 Previously served as the Second Vice-President

Second Vice-Presidents

Title Name Inaugurated Left Office Notes
Second Vice-President Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 1990 2 June 1992
Second Vice-President Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia 2 June 1992 12 January 1994 Afterwards served as the First Vice-President
Second Vice-President Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 Afterwards served as the First Vice-President
Second Vice-President Ratu Josefa Iloilo 17 November 1997 18 January 2000

Vice-Presidents (single office)

Title Name Inaugurated Left Office Notes
Vice-President Ratu Josefa Iloilo 18 January 1999 29 May 2000 Succeeded to the Presidency
Vacant 29 May 2000 25 March 2001
Vice-President Ratu Jope Seniloli 25 March 2001 29 November 2004 Forced to resign following conviction for treason
Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi 15 December 2004 5 December 2006 Deposed in a coup d'état
Vacant 5 December 2006 17 April 2009
Vice-President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau 17 April 2009 30 July 2009 Succeeded to the Presidency
Vacant 30 July 2009 6 September 2013
Post abolished 6 September 2013 Present Vice-Presidential powers tranferred to Chief Justice

References

  1. ↑ Constitution of Fiji, s.90
  2. ↑ Office of the Vice-President and Succession Decree, 16 April 2009
  3. ↑ "Fiji appoints Ratu Epeli Nailatikau as Vice President", Radio Australia, 17 April 2009
  4. ↑ "Promote multi-racism in Fiji", Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, 30 December 2007