By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Tuilaepa Sailele Malilelegaoi, Samoan Prime Minister, has said Fiji must get rid of their armed forces to have peace.  Tuilaepa said he thinks Fiji’s future is uncertain and even if the country holds elections there is no reason why a civilian government could not be toppled.

Tuilaepa just returned from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea where Pacific leaders were to discuss Fiji’s return to a civilian government.  He said, “If Bainimarama goes and there is a return to civilian government I feel there will be many other Bainimarama’s who may come forward in the future.”  The Samoan PM continued, “This is because it is very easy to pick up a gun and wave it at people.”

Tuilaepa explained Pacific nations wanted Fiji to hold elections because it is a condition for membership in the Pacific Forum that governments are democratically elected.  He mentioned that Bainimarama has accounced it could take up to ten years before elections can be held in Fiji.  He thinks this is negligent of Bainimarama as the leader of Fiji.  He then described Bainimarama as inexperienced in international relations, unused to governing a country, and only wanting praise.

Suspension from the Forum was discussed in Port Moresby and in a unanimous decision Fiji was given until May 1 to come up with an election date this year.  Failure to meet the deadline will result in suspension.

For more information, please see:
Islands Business – Fiji strongman losing Pacific goodwill – 30 January 2009

Samoa Observer – No peace in Fiji with army: PM – 01 February 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Samoa PM says no peace in Fiji unless military goes – 03 February 2009