A symbolic dissolution ceremony took place in Suva on Saturday, commemorating the official closure of Fiji’s June 2006 Parliament, which had been rendered inactive following the coup led by Frank Bainimarama that year. A small group of former MPs and Senators, including former Deputy Speaker Niko Nawaikula, who moved the motion for the dissolution, attended the event alongside notable figures such as Ro Teimumu Kepa and former Speaker Pita Nacuva.
In comments shared on social media, Nawaikula expressed concerns regarding the impact of the 2013 Constitution and judicial decisions on the democratic framework of Fiji. He argued that these changes have created a troubling precedent where coups can be legitimized through subsequent elections, thereby undermining the foundations of democracy. In addition, he pointed to issues such as immunity provisions, executive interference in state institutions, and the erosion of protections for iTaukei cultural rights.
This gathering was significant not just as a marker of closure but as a call to action, reinforcing that the journey towards restoring true democracy in Fiji is ongoing. Nawaikula urged citizens to remain vigilant in upholding the rule of law and to advocate for the people’s will, highlighting the importance of civic engagement in shaping the nation’s democratic future.
The ceremony underscores a persistent desire among some factions in Fiji to address past injustices and move toward a more inclusive and legitimate democratic process.
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