US, NZ congratulate Rabuka
US President Joe Biden on Saturday congratulated Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on his return to power, describing the two countries as “close partners” working for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
“As close partners, Fiji and the United States work together to advance an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, prosperous, and secure,” Mr Biden said in a statement a day after Rabuka was confirmed as the island nation’s new prime minister.
Rabuka, a 74-year-old former military commander, replaces Frank Bainimarama, who toppled the government in a 2006 coup and became prime minister a year later.
Fiji, one of the most populous and prosperous Pacific island nations, grew closer to China under Mr Bainimarama.
Rabuka has signalled a willingness to shift away from Beijing in favour of traditional allies Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Biden said the United States and Fiji “have also made progress on key challenges — including promoting sustainable economic recovery, tackling climate change, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.”
He said in the years ahead he will seek to further “strengthen the bonds between our people and advance our shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Mr Rabuka was on Saturday confirmed as Fiji’s prime minister, after accusing the outgoing government of stoking “fear and chaos” to derail his return to power.
The 74-year-old Rabuka said he felt “humbled” as he made his way out of parliament to be sworn in by the country’s president.
The two-time coup leader and former prime minister — nicknamed “Rambo” — narrowly triumphed over Mr Bainimarama by 28 votes to 27 in a secret ballot held in parliament, speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu announced.
Mr Bainimarama appeared to accept defeat as he told reporters after the vote: “This is democracy”.
A chorus of cars honked in celebration as they drove past the parliamentary building in the capital Suva.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated Mr Rabuka in a statement.
“We strongly value Fiji as a close friend and partner as we progress our shared priorities for the region,” she said.
The military had been deployed on the streets of Suva as Mr Rabuka and Mr Bainimarama raced to cobble together a coalition government following a deadlocked general election.