Members of the American Sodelpa Support (AMSOS) in the US have expressed their disappointment over the ongoing impasse between the party’s management board and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.
AMSOS president Mitieli Moce said they had been supporting the party from when current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was still leader.
“Since 2017 we have been supporting this party and to see them doing this, it is really disappointing,” said Mr Moce.
“We do not agree with what Mr Takayawa says about the appointment of Mr (Aseri) Radrodro.
“Mr Gavoka the current leader is representing us as one of the DPMs.”
He said years of financial support to the party was not being taken seriously by the current executives of the party.
“Some may question our legitimacy but we have been there supporting and fundraising for the party when they went to elections in 2018 and then again in 2022.
“We fought for them especially when we lost some of our members to PAP. We still stood by them and chose to throw our support and finances behind them.”
Mr Moce, who revealed that the US SODELPA branch had also split into two factions, called on members of the party to think about the people of Fiji.
“In everything we do, we must always put the interests of our people first.
“We cannot be selfish when it comes to our people and our country.”
Attempts to get comments from the second faction of the US group, SODELPA 4 Fiji president Adi Asenaca Caucau proved futile.
Meanwhile, party general secretary Viliame Takayawa said they only communicated with Adi Asenaca.
“Under our constitution we only communicate with members of the party and the members who have paid their membership as far as USA is concerned is the SODELPA for USA and the president is Adi Asenaca Caucau,” said Mr Takayawa.
“That is the only president we send documentation to. We are updating her and her members.”
