The chair of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR), Shamima Ali, has expressed significant concerns regarding the recent governmental decisions in Fiji, labeling them as “rushed and poorly considered” which have led to “chaos and instability” in the nation’s governance over the past year. Ali highlighted the ongoing implications stemming from a Commission of Inquiry (COI) instituted to investigate the appointment of the former FICAC Commissioner, stating that the outcomes of this inquiry have created unnecessary uncertainty, dominating discussions throughout 2025.
Ali described the ordeal as sparking multiple political and legal ramifications, which included the dismissal of the former Attorney-General, various police investigations, pending legal applications before the Court, and substantial financial expenditures from taxpayers. She articulated that these issues reflect the dangers of haphazard decision-making within the government.
The coalition’s concerns extend to what they describe as an alarming frequency of cabinet reshuffles and the associated costs to the public. Ali pointed out that in a single year, there have been three different announcements regarding cabinet changes, alongside an expansion of the cabinet with new Ministers and Assistant Ministers, asserting that such frequent portfolio shifts could further burden taxpayers.
Moreover, Ali criticized the government’s tendency for last-minute public appointments, citing the overnight change in the Chair of the Fiji Competition and Commerce Commission as an example. She warned that these arbitrary decisions undermine public trust and stability, suggesting that this pattern could have lasting detrimental effects on the confidence citizens hold in their government.
In response to these challenges, the NGOCHR is advocating for greater transparency, adherence to established processes, and clearer communication from authorities to help restore public trust and prevent further degradation of confidence in public institutions. This call for reform reflects a hopeful initiative geared towards ensuring a more stable and transparent governance framework in Fiji.
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