Rabuka elected chairman of Cakaudrove Council

Issue No: 791; 24 May 2001

 
Disgraced former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been elected as the Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council.

The appointment, made yesterday by the Council, sees Rabuka replacing Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Kubuabola was the chairman for 7 years. In 1999, he successfully deposed Rabuka from the leadership of the SVT party. Rabuka subsequently quit the Parliament and became the Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs. This year Rabuka was thrown out from the GCC chairmanship.

Cakaudrove, one of the 14 provinces into which the country's ethnic Fijians are demarcated, was the political stronghold of the SVT. But earlier this year, active supporters of the terrorists and some who participated in activities organised by the terrorists, decided to form another political party. The new party has asked terrorist leaders George Speight and Ilisoni Ligairi to lead them into the August elections. One of the founders of the new party, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, was installed as the Tui Cakau by a faction of the province. The Tui Cakau is the traditional head of the provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua, Maucata, and Lau. Another claimant to the title, former military Commander and current chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, is to be installed in December this year.

 

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