By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji– The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon is sending what he is calling an exploratory mission to Fiji this week.  The mission will be headed by Tamrat Samuel from the UN’s Department of Political Affairs in New York.  Moon said in a statement that he has conveyed to the interim Fiji Government that there is a mutually agreeable way forward with the political situation that came out of the military coup in 2006.

While in Suva, the UN will meet a broad range of national stakeholders and international actors.

The Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma has announced that they will be sending senior Commonwealth political official Juliet Solomon.  Solomon will be visiting Fiji in response to a request from the interim prime minister for support in facilitating a dialogue forum.  Ms. Solomon will hold consultations with the interim government, political parties, civil society, international partners and other stakeholders.  The Commonwealth is especially interested in working with the Pacific Islands Forum and the UN in helping Fiji find a political future.

Fiji is currently suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth following the military coup in 2006.
For more information, please see:

Radio Australia – UN, Commonwealth to dispatch missions to Fiji – 21 November 2008

Radio New Zealand International – UN sends official to Fiji – 21 November 2008

Pacific Magazine – UN Secretary General Sends Envoy to Check On Fiji – 21 November 2008

Commonwealth Secretariat – Commonwealth Visit to Fiji Islands – 20 November 2008