Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was unable to attend the significant return of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to its redeveloped Bose Levu Vakaturaga building in Suva due to protocol issues and a late Cabinet meeting. In his explanation to The Fiji Times, Rabuka clarified that he had communicated his apologies ahead of the event, recognizing that the Cabinet meeting’s delayed conclusion would prevent him from joining.
Rabuka highlighted that, under current conventions, he is not eligible to be a council member due to his position as Prime Minister, acknowledging that his life membership lapsed when the GCC was dissolved by the interim government after the 2006 coup. Although he had attended the GCC in an official capacity before, this time he refrained from participating for protocol reasons.
In his comments, Rabuka affirmed the GCC’s renewed importance in shaping national leadership and cultural identity and expressed openness to future engagement with the council. This sentiment aligns with his prior statements emphasizing the GCC’s historical relevance and its essential role in addressing contemporary societal issues.
The Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of the council’s role presents a hopeful outlook as Fiji continues to navigate its political landscape. The government’s willingness to engage with traditional structures like the GCC could foster greater unity and understanding among diverse communities, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary governance.
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