The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) will not support any amendments to the 2013 Constitution and instead is calling for legal repeal of the entire framework to better serve the people.
This was shared by paramount chief of Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, in light of the recent march by chiefs in Rakiraki, which he described as a “gesture of goodwill” that reflects growing discontent with the current constitutional framework.
“I’ve seen people call it a protest. In some sense, it is,” Ratu Suliano said.
“But about the 2013 Constitution, we have already discussed it in the GCC.
“We won’t vote for the amendment. We just want to take out the whole 2013 Constitution. No amendment.”
He said the current legal framework affects the indigenous iTaukei people by restricting their access to and control over their own resources, despite their land and natural wealth.
“We are resource rich but are cash poor.
“So it’s under the law. If it blocks us, it ties a rope around our neck. We can’t move forward.”
Ratu Suliano said there was a growing deepening divide between traditional leadership and the constitutional structure adopted in 2013 following Fiji’s return to democracy after years of political instability.
On June 6, 2025 the GCC attempted to be part of the Supreme Court hearing on the 2013 Constitution.
Ratu Suliano said it was “unfortunate” that Chief Justice Salesi Temo denied the request for a representative to be an intervener.
However, justice Temo said the GCC may submit their views through one of the accepted political intervening parties.
