Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka says Fiji cannot remain “frozen in time” over the events of 1987, while predicting Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will win the next General Election by a landslide.
In a strongly worded statement on his social media page, Ditoka criticised commentators he said continue to judge Rabuka solely through the lens of the 1987 coups.
“It is interesting how some people can never move beyond 1987, as though Fiji has been frozen in time for nearly four decades,” Ditoka said.
He stressed that Rabuka has publicly apologised for his role in the coups and repeatedly placed himself before the judgement of voters.
“Unlike many leaders around the world, he returned through the front door of democracy rather than through the back window of force,” Ditoka stated.
The Foreign Affairs Minister argued that military service should not permanently define political leaders, pointing to international and local figures who transitioned from military careers into national leadership.
“The issue has never been whether a person once wore a uniform. The issue is character, judgement, service and whether the people freely choose them,” he said.
Ditoka also defended Rabuka’s right to respond to criticism, saying some opponents expect the Prime Minister to remain “permanently apologetic”.
“A Prime Minister is not required to stand there smiling while being hit from every direction. He is entitled to answer back,” Ditoka said.
He said democracy was also about redemption and allowing people to seek renewed mandates from voters.
“Democracy is not about endlessly replaying someone’s worst chapter. Democracy is also about redemption, growth and allowing people to place themselves before voters again.”
Ditoka predicted Rabuka would secure a decisive victory at the next polls despite criticism from political commentators and social media critics.
“I will make a prediction: Hon. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka will win the next Fiji General Elections by a landslide,” he declared.
“Elections are not won in newspaper columns, social media echo chambers or endless replays of 1987. They are won out in villages, settlements, towns and communities where people weigh the realities before them.”
Ditoka ended by saying he believed voters would return Rabuka with a stronger mandate.
“I believe the people of Fiji will have the final say — and I believe they will return him with a stronger mandate. You can take that to the bank.”
