Pacific Island leaders congratulate PM Rabuka

Pacific Island leaders have joined global leaders in congratulating Fiji’s new Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka.

In a congratulatory letter, the Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiamè Naomi Mata’afa, on behalf of the Government and the people of Samoa, extended her warmest congratulations to Rabuka for being elected as Fiji’s new Prime Minister.

She says Rabuka’s election as leader of the multi-party coalition demonstrates the confidence and trust of the people in his deep-rooted leadership.

Mata’afa adds she looks forward to working closely with Rabuka to further enhance and strengthen the friendship, cooperation and partnership between the two countries as well as advancing regionalism in our Blue Pacific continent through the 2050 Strategy.

Tongan Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku, on behalf of the Government of Tonga and the people of Tonga, congratulated Rabuka with the reaffirmation of Tonga’s commitment to strengthen the strong and warm relations between the two nations and that of the Pacific family.

In a congratulatory message by the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat Director General, Leonard Louma commended Rabuka for his strong leadership and commitment to the development of Fiji and the Pacific region.

Louma says Rabuka’s successful election to lead the country again is a testimony of the high regard with which the people of Fiji attach to his leadership.

Louma further says moreover, it does signify in an emphatic way a desire by the Fiji people for change which Rabuka so eloquently championed during his campaign.

He says like other countries, in the region, Fiji continues to encounter its own share of challenges as a nation.

Louma adds the onset of COVID-19 and its attendant ramifications have exacerbated the challenges and he is confident that under Rabuka’s leadership, Fiji will build on the successes so far and will be able to address these challenges effectively.

Louma says it was during Rabuka’s tenure as Prime Minister that he took the bold move to recognise Fiji as a Melanesian Country and officially joined the Melanesian Spearhead Group as the fifth Member in 1996.

He reasserted the MSG’s commitment to work closely with Rabuka and his Government in advancing the interests and welfare of our Pacific family.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, congratulated and extended his best wishes to Rabuka and the people of Fiji.

Sogavare says Rabuka’s experience and wealth of knowledge in the role will no doubt take Fiji to new heights.

He adds as Fiji’s close neighbour, he stands ready to work with Rabuka on all issues of mutual concerns to further enhance bilateral, subregional, regional and multilateral relations.

He also thanked the Fijian Government and people for the presence of the Fiji Military Force in Honiara under the Solomon Islands Assistance Force.