Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fiji)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Fiji
Incumbent
Sitiveni Rabuka
since 24 December 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
StatusForeign minister
Member ofCabinet of Fiji
SeatGovernment Buildings
NominatorPrime Minister of Fiji
AppointerPresident of Fiji
Term lengthNo term limit
Inaugural holderKamisese Mara
Formation10 October 1970; 53 years ago (1970-10-10)
SalaryFJ$130,000 annually[1]
Websitewww.foreignaffairs.gov.fj

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (commonly known as the Foreign Minister) is a cabinet minister responsible for foreign relations and diplomacy of Fiji, and oversees its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Especially since two military coups in 1987 harmed Fiji's relationship with other countries, with two more coups in 2000 and 2006 respectively, the Foreign Minister's position has been a very important one.

Description of the office[edit]

Like other ministers, the Foreign Minister is formally appointed by the President on the nomination of the Prime Minister, and is responsible to both the Prime Minister and the Parliament. The position may be held independently, or in conjunction with other ministerial responsibilities. From time to time, the Prime Minister has simultaneously served as Foreign Minister.

Along with all ministers, the Foreign Minister is constitutionally required to be a member of the Parliament.

List of ministers[edit]

Political parties
Other factions
Symbols
  Denotes acting Minister

The following is a list of foreign ministers of Fiji since the country gained independence in 1970:[2][3]

No. Name
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Tenure
1 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
(1920–2004)
1970–1982
2 Mosese Qionibaravi
(1938–1987)
1982–1983
3 Jonati Mavoa
(1922–1985)
1983–1985
4 Semesa Sikivou
(1917–1990)
1985–1986
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
(1920–2004)
1986–1987
5 Krishna Datt
(born 1944)
1987[a]
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
(1920–2004)
1987
6 Filipe Bole
(1936–2019)
1987–1988
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
(1920–2004)
1988–1992
(6) Filipe Bole
(1936–2019)
1992–1994
7 Major-General (Rtd)
Sitiveni Rabuka
(born 1948)
1994
(6) Filipe Bole
(1936–2019)
1994–1997
8 Berenado Vunibobo
(1932–2015)
1997–1999
9 Tupeni Baba
(born 1943/1944)
1999–2000[b]
10 Kaliopate Tavola
(born 1946)
2000–2006[c]
Isikeli Mataitoga
Acting
2006–2007
11 Brigadier-General (Rtd)
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
(born 1941)
2007–2008
12 Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
(born 1954)
2008–2009
(12) 2009
13 Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
(born 1948)
2009–2016
(13)
(12) Rear Admiral (Rtd)
Frank Bainimarama
(born 1954)
2016–2019
14 Inia Seruiratu 2019–2020
(12) Rear Admiral (Rtd)
Frank Bainimarama
(born 1954)
2020–2022
(7) Major-General (Rtd)
Sitiveni Rabuka
(born 1948)
2022–present

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Deposed in the May 1987 coup d'état.
  2. ^ Deposed in the 2000 coup d'état.
  3. ^ Deposed in the 2006 coup d'état.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Government of Fiji Gazette (3 October 2014). "PARLIAMENTARY REMUNERATIONS DECREE 2014 (DECREE NO. 29 OF 2014)" (PDF). www.parliament.gov.fj.
  2. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 22 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Foreign ministers E-K". rulers.org. B. Schemmel. Retrieved 12 March 2015.