Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji’s Bainimarama becomes chief in Vanuatu

Posted at 22:42 on 11 March, 2012 UTC

The Fiji interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has been installed as the Chief of Malampa, one of the largest provinces in Vanuatu.

The Prime Minister is heading a Fiji government delegation to Vanuatu for talks of the Melanesian Spearhead Group,

A statement from Fiji’s ministry of Information says the traditional title was conferred upon him by the chiefs of the province at a traditional ceremony held at the MSG Headquarters in Port Vila.

Commodore Bainimarama thanked the chiefs and the government of Vanuatu for the traditional custom, saying traditional ceremony and solidarity is what sets Melanesia apart.

MSG member countries also presented gifts to the Prime Minister at the end of the ceremony signifying the importance of the title.