Former senior military officer and current Minister for Employment Opportunities, Productivity and Industrial Relations Minister, Major General Jioji Konrote is Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama’s nominee for President of the Republic of Fiji.
The Prime Minister confirmed this to Legend FM News a few minutes ago.
Major General Konrote attended Natabua High School.
He enlisted into the RFMF in 1966 and trained with New Zealand and Australian defence forces, studying at institutions such as the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies and the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, where he became a fellow in 1996, and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2000.
Rising through the ranks of the Fiji Military, he commanded battalions of Fijian soldiers in their peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon during Fiji's UNIFIL campaign, and was subsequently appointed Deputy Force Commander of the UNIFIL operation, and finally the United Nations Assistant Secretary‑General and Force Commander in Lebanon. In recognition of his contributions in these fields, Major General Konrote was awarded with the UNIFIL Peace Medal in 1978, the Military Cross UK in 1982, the Order of Merit Italy in 1997 and was made an Officer of the Order of Fiji (Military Division) in 1997.
From 2001 to 2006, Konrote served as Fiji's High Commissioner to Australia.
Major General Konrote will be chosen as President in the parliament session on Monday as he has majority support in parliament.
This would also mean that Viliame Naupoto would be the next person eligible to become a Member of Parliament as Major General Konrote vacates his parliamentary seat.
Meanwhile the Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa’s nominee is Ratu Epeli Ganilau.
The election of the country’s President will take place in parliament on Monday.
This would be a historic moment as our previous Presidents were chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs.
