The GCC should first clarify its constitutional mandate at home before seeking external validation, says Tui Nayau Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
Weighing into growing debate over a proposed Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) visit to England, Ratu Tevita said the GCC’s priority should be strengthening its legal and constitutional footing at home.
“The GCC has been restored merely through a regulation under the iTaukei Affairs Act 2023, making it vulnerable to change by a simple majority in Parliament,” he said.
“It should first clarify its constitutional mandate at home before seeking external validation.
“For the GCC to be effective, it must be legally recognised and entrenched in our Constitution.
Ratu Tevita stressed the GCC’s responsibility extended beyond the iTaukei community.
“The true role of chiefs in Fiji is leadership, to serve as a source of strength and stability for everyone who calls Fiji home.
“Together, we can shape a future that honours our history while embracing our diversity.”
The Tui Nayau called for a hard look at the purpose of the proposed GCC visit to London.
“We should have a careful reassessment of the purpose of the proposed visit asking ourselves, ‘What do we aim to achieve by going to London?’.
“If there is any notion to recede Fiji again to the monarchy, it is not only a bit late in the day, but we should also remind ourselves that we took ourselves out and unceremoniously dumped the monarchy.
“Our future is in our hands. We the people of Fiji should decide for ourselves the future we want for ourselves,” Ratu Tevita said.
“Fiji’s future rests firmly in the hands of its people without the need to seek direction from the United Kingdom.”
Ratu Tevita invoked the words of his late father, Fiji’s first prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, spoken at independence in 1970.
“Today we assume the control of our own destinies and take on adult responsibilities after a long period of tutelage,” he quoted.
“Fiji has been entrusted with the responsibility of charting its own course.”
