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- Pacific.scoop.co.nz - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz - The mammoth task of ridding Fiji of coup culture – Rev. Akuila Yabaki Posted By selwyn On December 17, 2009 @ 10:21 am In Articles, Fiji | 2 Comments Reverend Akuila Yabaki Reverend Akuila Yabaki, argues Fiji must rid itself of its coup culture through seeking an egalitarian, non-race-based constitution. Pacific Scoop Introduction: Fiji's Reverend Akuila Yabaki, who heads Fiji Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF) recently presented a paper to the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) conference held at the University of Auckland. The paper was titled "From paramountcy to equality: Constitutionalism, dialogue and ethno-political conflict in Fiji" and asserted how Fiji ought to rid itself of its coup-culture and institutionalise an egalitarian, non-race-based society. The 11th Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) held at University of Auckland earlier this month had Pacific well covered in its discussions. It covered Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the French Pacific and Pasifika in New Zealand. Fiji, with its chain of problems was well represented by distinguished presenters. Subhash Appanna from Auckland Institute of Studies presented "From democratic dictatorship to democracy in Fiji" Susanna Trnka presented her well researched topic on the "Ethnographic analysis of ethnic identity, violence and the state in Fiji." She is the author of "State of suffering: Political violence and community survival in Fiji." This book, which is the result of her long research in Fiji has focussed on political violence and embodied practices of citizenship amongst Indo Fijians in Fiji. The final presenter was none other than the charismatic Reverend Akuila Yabaki, who heads Fiji Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF). His topic was "From paramountcy to equality: Constitutionalism, dialogue and ethno-political conflict in Fiji." Rev Yabaki did not only deliver the paper at the PIPSA Conference but also held a special lecture organised by the University of Auckland and facilitated by the President of PIPSA President, well known Pacific Academic, Dr. Steven Ratuva. In addition to this the Reverend also went on air at the Hindi Radio Station, Radio Tarana to brief its listeners on the situation in Fiji. He told his audience that the 1997 Fiji Constitution was still good despite its shortfalls. It was the Indo Fijian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry's leadership style that had created enemies and fuelled those harbouring ethno nationalism. These nationalist elements, supported by some politicians were responsible for the 1987 and 2000 coups. Effectively, the lack of compliance of the Constitution led to the coup. He further added that Fiji's problems were deep rooted where the country inherited a divided people from the British Colonisers. The divide and rule principles have to be removed before the elections are held because the leaders capitalised on racial slogans to capture votes. The constitution should not be allowed to give legitimacy to a race-based politics and elections in this modern world. The militarisation, the coup culture and the process of change He said the rationale for militarisation at the positions of power was to increase efficiency by removing bureaucracy that had been stifling progress. He added that the coup culture in Fiji could only be discussed by discussing the military make up and involving them in the discussions. The National Charter for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) was a good document with 11 pillars to carve a roadmap for Fiji that was supposed to have been done through a parliamentary process. However removing the race-based politics would endanger support for political parties; hence their narrow political vested interest was the cause of reluctance in supporting this process, especially the Methodist Church and Qarase's SDL Party. He said that Fiji have had four coups and therefore there was an urgent need to look at ways to rid Fiji of the coup culture. Bainimarama was correct on racial policies. The ethno nationalist who had supported Rabuka in 1987 and Speight in 2000 were now at the receiving end. The rhetoric of racism had dogged Fiji for long and the Charter was seen as an inclusive approach but the Methodist Church and the SDL, (which are politically aligned) failed to join the process of change. The Reverend said the CCF went into this process of Charter with some conditions such as sticking to the 1997 Constitution, the process to be inclusive of all, military and police to ensure freedom of information and roadmap to election should have a fixed date. That was when the Charter commenced in 2008 but now the situation has changed with the abrogation of 1997 Constitution on 10 April, 2009. The process of involving the civil society had commenced and the citizen diplomacy had started, involving community and the civil society. However dialogue at the political level had not commenced as there was a need for a genuine desire to change and move the country forward. Overseas reactions Yabaki said while New Zealand and Australia had taken a hard line, relationship with USA, especially military cooperation was still on. EU had been a stronger draw card and they were looking at a more inclusive approach. As a result of hard-nosed policies of traditional friends, Fiji was embarking on a look-north policy with Air Pacific commencing direct flights to Hong Kong. While the Melanesian Spearhead group has been supportive of Bainimarama's path for change, the relationship with Samoa and Cook Islands was fractured. Electoral reforms Rev Yabaki said that at the Charter level, it was strongly felt that the electoral system was what needed to be changed. In this regards, there has to be a mega-leap or an evolution. He reiterated that exploitation of a race-based politics had been the cause of Fiji's problems. A consultative agreement with political parties would be needed. He reminded that the timeframe of election was September 2014, with a need for anti-racist legislation so that the institutionalised and legalised forms of racial voting needed to be removed while appealing to one race for fear of land-grab by the other would be outlawed. Yabaki was very pleased with the developments where the political parties were shifting away from racial slogans. Positive outlook When questioned on anything positive coming out of Fiji, Yabaki said that school bus fares had been made free while the budget had been well-received by all sections of the community. Roads were being opened up, they were also kept in good order and the administration was now coming to the people and there appeared to be a change in the traditional bureaucratic civil service mentality. Talking on Radio Tarana, Yabaki repeated that the divisive political culture that Fiji inherited from the Colonial British had to be removed and the answer to Fiji's problems had to come from within (Fiji) rather than without. He was hopeful that given the goodwill, the National Charter Council would try its best to guide Fiji to parliamentary democracy. On the New Zealand government stand on Fiji, Yabaki said that NZ had not succeeded as answers needed to come from Fiji, therefore more conciliatory policies would help inculcate and enhance democracy in Fiji. The message coming out of his delivery was that the ethno-nationalist instability of 1987 was by the fear mongers and Rabuka had admitted his mistakes and apologised as well. However, some remnants of the 1987 era carried out their agenda with Speight in 2000. His main message on Fiji was to do what was best for Fiji. He pleaded to all, especially to politicians and even foreign governments to appreciate and realise that they were dealing with the military and hence they needed to find a window of opportunity to make a difference for the better future for democracy in Fiji. Reverend Yabaki's parting message was that while the task in Fiji was difficult and mammoth, it nevertheless was not impossible. Hence the hope lives on. Thakur Ranjit Singh is a post graduate student in Communication Studies at AUT and a volunteer at the Pacific Media Centre. Article printed from Pacific.scoop.co.nz: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz URL to article: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/the-mammoth-task-of-ridding-fiji-of-coup-culture-%e2%80%93-rev-akuila-yabaki/ Click here to print. Copyright © 2009 pacific. All rights reserved.
Thakur Ranjit Singh, Pacific Media Centre.
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