He also said discussions yesterday focused on how they would move to establish the GCC as a separate body, with its own machinery and mechanism.
The newly appointed
Great Council of
Chiefs chair, Ratu
Viliame Seruvakula. Photo: Leon Lord
The newly appointed Great Council of Chiefs chair, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, has hinted initial discussions on the move to ensure the GCC becomes an independent body.
In a press conference after his appointment last night,
Ratu Viliame said the intention was to shift away from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
Strong calls have been made for the GCC to be apolitical, with politically affiliated chiefs not to be represented in the council.
“We cannot move forward having the GCC linked to the ministry,” Ratu Viliame said.
From left: Turaga Na Vunivalu Na Tui Kaba Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba,
Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Tavaiqia and Qaranivalu Ratu Inoke Takiveikata. Photos: Leon Lord
He also said discussions yesterday focused on how they would move to establish the GCC as a separate body, with its own machinery and mechanism.
“It needs to be apolitical,” he said.
Ratu Viliame was nominated by the Kubuna confederacy to the chairmanship role, with Ratu Meli Saukuru from Burebasaga, and Ratu Jone Golea Lalabalavu from the Tovata confederacy.
Ratu Viliame received 27 votes, Ratu Meli received 10 votes and Ratu Jone gathered eight votes.
Voting was supervised and assisted by officials from the Fijian Elections Office (FEO).
While it came as a surprise for Ratu Viliame, he said he was ready for the challenge.
Momo Na Taukei Navo Ratu Meli Saukuru.
Assurance
Ratu Viliame assured the GCC was not just for the iTaukei.
“It is the voice of the iTaukei to Government,” he said.
“We discussed it today that the GCC has the responsibility to take forward the interest of all citizens, including those who may not be iTaukei but have made Fiji their home.”
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Background
Ratu Viliame is a former Fijian military officer. He is the son of former politician, Ratu Semi Seruvakula.
Ratu Viliame joined the army in the early 1980s and served in the Sinai Peninsula and in Lebanon from 1986 to 1987 as a platoon commander in the Charlie company of the First Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment.
He was widely known for opposing the 2000 coup, and when rebels from the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit mutinied at Suva’s Queen Elizabeth Barracks on November 2, 2000, he led the third infantry battalion in a counter-offensive to retake the barracks from the rebels.
Ratu Viliame joined the New Zealand Army in 2001.
He resigned from the military in early 2006 to take up a post with the Peace and Security division of the United Nations.
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
