With one day to go to the New Year, Fijivillage is taking a look back into the year 2008 with stories both tragic and otherwise that made the headlines in Fiji and overseas.
Firstly, it was the historic high court ruling. After more than two years since Commodore Frank Bainimarama and the RFMF ousted the Laisenia Qarase led government, the high court on October 9th, just a day before the Independence Day celebrations, ruled in favour of the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and declared that his decision to appoint the interim government and promulgate laws under his prerogative powers was valid and lawful.
The then Acting Chief Justice and current Chief Justice Anthony Gates along with Judge Davendra Pathik and Justice John Byrne ruled that the President as head of state has reserved powers and prerogative powers which are not outlined in the constitution and which he can invoke in circumstances not accounted for to protect the sovereignty of the state and its people.
The SDL party expressed disappointment with the ruling and they have since appealed the decision in the Appeals Court which is expected to be heard in February.
Another major achievement for the interim government was the implementation of the Radisson Accord which saw the deregulation of the telecommunication sector and new player Digicel launched into the market in style this year with a free concert where thousands gathered at Albert Park to mark the occasion.
Following a long tender process, 2008 also saw the interim government issue two new free to air television licenses however, only Mai TV was able to come into operation by mid August.
Controversy continued to mar relations between Fiji and New Zealand from yearly 2008 after former High Commissioner Michael Greene was declared Persona Non Grata and expelled from the country.
Relations were not patched up as New Zealand, who continue to push for the restoration of democracy in Fiji refused to review its travel sanction policy and did not issue visa's to two student.
The interim government retaliated and expelled the Acting High Commission Caroline McDonald earlier this month and in a tit-for- tat fashion, New Zealand expelled our Acting High Commissioner Cama Tuiloma.
Also, two News Paper executives, Russel Hunter of the Fiji Sun and Fiji Times Publisher Evan Hannah were deported from the country by the interim government after being declared prohibited immigrants and for allegedly breaching their work permits.
Then there were some very mixed reactions as the interim Prime Minister and interim Minister for Finance Commodore Frank Bainimarama announced the 2009 Budget where for the first time a huge range of incentives were announced to try and increase investments in the North and Maritime islands.
Another development came earlier this month with the convening of the Bose ni Turaga held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks. Around 125 Vanua chiefs, defied criticisms and efforts to derail the process to attend the two day meeting, where they were briefed on the interim government's road map to return Fiji to parliamentary rule.
The Chiefs in return threw their support behind the interim government and the Peoples Charter's as the way forward for Fiji.
A Look Back Into 2008
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