Fiji’s former PM Bainimarama charged with abuse of office

Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, according to the government prosecutor. Bainimarama governed the Pacific island nation for 16 years before narrowly losing an election in December.

Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, and Sitiveni Qiliho, the police commissioner, has been suspended, according to a statement from Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde.

The charges stem from an allegation made by the University of South Pacific in 2019 that the two had halted "an active police investigation" into the actions of former university employees.

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Bainimaramamade his resignation official on Wednesday (March 8), after a three-year suspension from the Fijian parliament.

In a statement on the Facebook page of his FijiFirst party, Bainimarama claimed that he had submitted his resignation "with immediate effect," but that he had no intention of leaving politics.

The 68-year-old had taken office in a bloodless coup in 2006 and wasthe prime minister till a fiercely contested general election in December of last year.

Following a speech in which the opposition leader criticised both the president and his successor, Sitiveni Rabuka, the parliament suspended Bainimarama until 2026.

The constitution, according to Bainimarama, was "being stripped away almost on a daily basis" by Rabuka's new administration, which he charged Katonivere of neglecting to defend.

Bainimarama called his three-year ban for violating parliamentary process "unwarranted and most definitely unreasonable" in a statement on Wednesday.

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"However, the decision has been made by parliament through (a) vote and I have complied with the decision," he added.

The resignation of Bainimarama, who will continue to lead FijiFirst, ensures that his opposition party will always be able to have 26 seats in the 55-seat legislature.

"This is to ensure that we keep the three-uneven-legged stool in check," he added, referring to Rabuka's coalition government.

A FijiFirst politician will take over his parliamentary seat, and Bainimarama said that the party will designate one of his former ministers, Inia Seruiratu, as the next opposition leader at the next meeting.

He continued by saying he will continue to play an active role in national politics.

(With inputs from agencies)

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