Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Outspoken Fiji chief joins call for interim regime to hand over to caretaker government

Posted at 16:39 on 29 October, 2012 UTC

A Fijian paramount chief has signed a joint petition to the President, and is calling for the interim Government to stand back from power.

Fiji paramount chief, the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa says the military has diverted from its role of protecting the people and there are many in Fiji unhappy about its involvement in politics.

She says if the Government says it is popular it should test that with an election, and in the meantime, allow a caretaker Prime Minister to oversee the election process.

Ro Teimumu says she is concerned about the delay in appointing the Constituent Assembly, which will now take place in December.

“We have not heard anything about who is going to be part of this assembly. This is the end of October now and we just have a month and that is November. And we believe all the various groups should be represented in the assembly.”

Ro Teimumu Kepa says she doesn’t hold out much hope on a positive response from the Fijian President.