Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere was inaugurated as the sixth and new President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands for a term of three years at the State House this morning.
Ratu Wiliame succeeds Jioji Konrote who was sworn into office in 2015 and again for a second term in 2018.
The Macuata chief was nominated by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for President on October 21, 2021.
He accepted the nomination in which Parliament convened the next day to vote on the presidency.
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere garnered 28 votes defeating his contender SODELPA MP Teimumu Kepa.
Prior to becoming President, he resigned from all board positions he previously held.
He is also the first from Vanua Levu to be head of state since the late Ratu Penaia Ganilau held office from 1987-1993.
Ratu Wiliame hails from Naduri in Macuata and has been the chief of the Macuata Province since 2013, succeeding his older brother Ratu Aisea Katonivere and has been involved in conservation initiatives of Fiji’s Great Sea Reef, having spoken at the past COP event.
