Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka addressed concerns from the Fijian diaspora in Samoa regarding Fiji’s recent vote against a UN resolution focused on the decolonization of colonial countries and peoples. He described the resolution as an “ambush resolution,” asserting that it was not the one Fiji had agreed upon during a prior discussion last Thursday at the Special Committee on Decolonisation.
Rabuka emphasized that the government did not mistakenly support the resolution, stating, “We will not tell them we pressed the wrong button. We will explain that the resolution was an ambush resolution, not something we had previously considered.”
Reflecting on his background in studying colonization and decolonization, Rabuka noted that the committee’s focus has shifted from C-12 to C-24. He also mentioned concerns about potential objections from the Kanaki people of New Caledonia regarding his presence at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
He reassured that Fiji has consistently advocated for decolonization, being one of only two Pacific nations in the Special Committee on Decolonisation. The government reiterated its alignment with the Pacific Islands Forum and the Melanesian Spearhead Group in promoting decolonization and self-determination, principles recognized in the UN Charter.
The Fiji Permanent Mission in New York, led by Filipo Tarakinikini, is currently working to address this situation.
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