As we sit on the deadline date today given by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, it is clear that the Fiji government will not issue an amended election timetable to prevent the country's suspension from the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has already said in an interview with Fijivillage that the roadmap to democracy with elections in 2014 is already set, and nothing will change that.
Bainimarama, who earlier sent an invitation to the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma for the Commonwealth officials to visit Fiji and talk to the government about the situation on the ground, said Fiji wants to remain in the Commonwealth.
He hopes that good sense will prevail following the recent announcement that Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Paul Reeves will visit Fiji next week.
Bainimarama also hopes that the Commonwealth group comes forward and assists Fiji in formulating a non-race based electoral system and help in achieving true and sustainable democracy.
Sir Paul Reeves is expected to be in the country from next Wednesday to Friday.
However, Commonwealth Secretariat spokesperson Eduardo del Buey stated that Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma wrote to Bainimarama last Monday, informing him that CMAG's requirements have not been met.
Although he confirmed in his letter that Sir Paul Reeves will visit Fiji, the Commonwealth said the CMAG statement requires the Fiji government to commit itself in writing to reactivating the President's Political Dialogue Forum in a manner which is independent, inclusive, time-bound and has no predetermined outcome.
It also requires the government to commit to have elections by October 2010.
PM undeterred despite looming suspension
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when