Issue No: 699; 25 April 2001

The office of the Tui Cakau is the head of the Tovata Confederacy. Conflicting reports of appointments have been carried by the media. For the past three days, the media has reported that Ratu Epeli Ganilau had been selected to be installed as the Tui Cakau. Ratu Epeli is the current chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs. He is also the son of a former Tui Cakau Ratu Penaia Ganilau, and the son-in-law of former President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

Today the media reports that a rival group will be installing Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as the Tui Cakau on May 8. Ratu Naiqama, a SVT parliamentarian, is the son of the last Tui Cakau Ratu Glenville Lalabalavu. Ratu Naiqama has been charged with offences related to the attempted coup of May 19. Interestingly, Ratu Naiqama had defeated Ratu Epeli in the 1999 national elections in Cakaudrove.

Tovata is one of the three traditional ethnic Fijian confederacies, the other two being Burebasaga and Kubuna. Burebasaga is led by Adi Lala Mara, the wife for former President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. The head of Kubuna confederacy has been vacant for the past 13 years since the last incumbent died. Kubuna includes Tailevu province. The inability to install the head of Kubuna, traditionally called the Vunivalu or warlord, has seen the deterioration in Kubuna's standing in Fiji. Numerous questions have also arisen on the participation of some high chiefs, and claimants to the Vunivalu title, in the 19 May attempted coup.