Who are we to judge Baron Waqa, says Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
He said this when asked if the Pacific islands leaders at yesterday’s retreat discussed the issue of the former Nauru president taking up the top job at the forum secretariat given his “controversial past”.
Forum chairman Mark Brown at the beginning of the media conference had stated the leaders had agreed that as per their communiqué from the Fiji meeting in February this year, Mr Waqa would become the next secretary-general.
“Who has judged Baron Waqa as a controversial figure,” Mr Rabuka said.
“As far we are concerned, we are not judges — we received his nomination which was part of bringing back Micronesia.
“This was to make sure Micronesia continued to be part of the Pacific community. And I am proud all the fractures at the beginning of my term have been ironed out. We are doing it transparently and that is how the Pacific leaders are saying — that we will appoint the secretary general this way — on a rotational basis and that is how we have conducted this meeting.”
Nauru president David Adeang didn’t attend the retreat and returned home after walking out of a plenary session a day early after a “discussion” was introduced on the appointment of the new secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Based on the Fiji Agreement that was signed this year, current secretary-general Henry Puna will continue in his role until next year, at which point the designated Micronesian candidate, Mr Waqa of Nauru will assume the position.
