The Fiji Government has placed the appointment of Filimoni Vosarogo as Attorney General on hold as it reviews its legality.
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua announced that this review will involve consultations with legal experts, including the Fiji Law Society. He underscored the government’s commitment to a transparent and accountable appointment process for all future government positions.
Tikoduadua addressed the media in Suva and reiterated the government’s dedication to upholding the rule of law. However, he did not provide details on how and why the initial appointment was made, given the specific qualifications required for an Attorney General as outlined in Section 96(2)(b) of the 2013 Constitution.
“I would like to say that our unwavering commitment to the 2013 constitution remains a cornerstone of our democracy. The concerns regarding Section 96 2 B and the suitability of Mr Vosarogo for the role of the Attorney General are under consideration. Our duty to uphold the Constitution cannot and will not be compromised. The sanctity of the rule of law and the supreme law is of the utmost importance. It is our responsibility to ensure that decisions, particularly those involving key appointments are made with the utmost integrity.
“We remain committed to these principles and ensure and assure our citizens that every decision is taken with their best interests at heart.”
Tikoduadua also announced that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka would provide an official statement regarding the Attorney General position, which, for the time being, remains with Siromi Turaga.
The press conference was convened by Tikoduadua to address concerns raised by Commander RFMF Ro Jone Kalouniwai. He acknowledged that the military’s involvement in government decisions had initially been a contentious issue but had led to constructive conversations that aligned with the nation’s interests.
“We discussed with the commander certain things that we will be able to make better with regards to the role of the RFMF going forward and how the government can be more responsive to the concerns that are raised and then how to make those better in the future. So I would like to thank the commander for the role of the RFMF and he has played in the way that we are now in terms of the security that we enjoy.”
