With confirmation now from Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama that Fiji will be handed the Chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group next week, we have established that the Prime Minister will not attend the meeting in Solomon Islands next week.
In Honiara, the MSG Chairmanship is expected to be handed from Vanuatu to the Solomon Islands and then to Fiji. All this is expected to happen in one day.
A reconciliation ceremony is also expected to take place.
However Commodore Bainimarama said he will not be there as Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola will represent Fiji.
But speaking to Fijivillage, Commodore Bainimarama said the Chairmanship handover from Vanuatu to the Solomons to Fiji seems to be a face-saving exercise for the Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei who did not hand over the Chairmanship to Commodore Bainimarama as earlier required.
Earlier this week, Natapei remained adamant and told Pacific Beat that Fiji should not be allowed to take the Chair.
He took this stand three months ago, saying that he will not hand over the Chairmanship to an unelected leader, and that the MSG should be committed to democracy and good governance.
Commodore Bainimarama said the issue in relation to the Chairmanship has been discussed in New York and the matter will be fully addressed in Solomon Islands.
But he said Fiji will definitely be handed the Chair of the MSG next week.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
PM will not attend MSG meeting
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