Gavoka: Upheavals a testimony of democracy in action
THE upheavals, distractions, discussion and disappointment that the Social Democratic Liberal Party experienced in 2020 is testimony of democracy in action.
This was the word from SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka in his New Year’s message to the nation.
“We were suspended from Parliament, internal disputes occurred within SODELPA, a change of leadership which involved my election as party leader transpired and the subsequent resignation from Parliament and the party by the former party leader and Leader of the Opposition, Mr Sitiveni Rabuka,” he said.
“Many of us were taken to the brink of endurance, as is expected of human nature when our hopes are tested, and we wonder whether things could get any worse.
“For Fiji, we have gone through four major political upheavals and one of the major challenges in our transitioning back to a fullyfledged democracy, that we once enjoyed pre-December 5th, 2006, is to get people to understand the big difference between democracy and dictatorship.
“Often our detractors point to SODELPA as a divided party in conflict.
“But the truth is, SODELPA is democratically structured. Competing individual and group interests is commonplace as it should be, and the party leadership is expected to deal with this and manage it as best we can.
“So, as we enter 2021 and a step closer to the 2022 General Election, I urge our members and supporters to give the new executive leadership time to sort matters out and remain steadfast and engage fully in the process to help SODELPA and our opposition partners get over the line and form the new government in 2022.”
Mr Gavoka said 2020 would no doubt go down as one of the most challenging years in Fiji’s history, politically and otherwise.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters wreaked havoc on the Fijian economy.
Mr Gavoka said Fiji would always be grateful to the outpouring of assistance from Australia, New Zealand and other development partners who stepped in during COVID-19 and in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold and super storm Yasa.
He also acknowledged front-line workers who had been at the forefront in protecting every Fijian during the pandemic, STC Harold and STC Yasa and also paid tribute to Fiji’s “silent heroes”.