Sitiveni Rabuka

The prime minister is promoting his “Ocean of Peace” concept, despite significant dissonance within Fiji’s foreign policy.

Rabuka said Fiji was “more comfortable” dealing with nations like Australia, taking a measured tone and notably shifting Fiji further away from entanglement with China.

Fiji’s government is finalizing a defense agreement with New Zealand, even while it considers scrapping a 2011 police cooperation agreement with China.

The specter of geostrategic competition being mapped onto Fiji’s political fault lines remains a distinct possibility that would be deeply damaging for the nation, and region, as a whole.

Despite Rabuka’s thin majority, his government has wasted no time in systematically dismantling Bainimarama’s extensive power base.

As Fiji enters a new political era following 16 years under the rule of Bainimarama, history’s shadow looms large.

After 16 years with Frank Bainimarama at the helm, Fiji faces myriad challenges as Sitiveni Rabuka takes over.

Fiji will see a new leader for the first time in 16 years, but Sitiveni Rabuka is no stranger to power in the country.

Young people are the largest bloc of potential votes – but historically, they haven’t showed up to the polls in large numbers.