THE proposed role of Fiji’s chiefs in the Senate must come with safeguards to prevent the abuse of power and ensure they do not support future coups, says Fiji National University political science researcher Professor Mosmi Bhim.
Speaking during public consultations on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, Prof Bhim questioned how the proposed reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) in the Senate would ensure accountability and responsible use of power.`
Under the proposed bill, the Senate would comprise 23 members, with 14 nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs, six appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and one on the advice of the Rotuma Island Council.
Prof Bhim said while restoring the GCC was important for preserving Fiji’s traditions, culture and identity, the proposed arrangement raised concerns about accountability.
“It is good they’re (GCC) being given recognition,” she said. “But we must ensure that power is not abused.”
“Fiji’s history show that some chiefs supported coups despite having constitutional mechanisms available to them to protect indigenous interests.”
Referring to the 1987 coups, Prof Bhim said chiefs could have used their power in the Senate under the 1970 Constitution to address concerns about political representation, rather than supporting a coup.
She said a no-confidence vote in Parliament could have been pursued instead.
Prof Bhim also referred to the 2000 coup, when chiefs supported George Speight and his supporters during the parliamentary hostage crisis.
She said the proposed allocation of 14 Senate seats to chiefs raised questions about how their conduct would be monitored and how future unconstitutional takeovers could be prevented.
“They have not used it responsibly in the past.
“How will you ensure they will use that responsibly in the future to prevent coups? How will you ensure our chiefs don’t support illegal takeovers?”
