Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fiji)

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs (commonly known as the Foreign Minister) is Fiji's Cabinet Minister responsible for international relations and diplomacy and oversees its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Especially since two military coups in 1987 harmed Fiji's relationship with other countries, with two more coups in 2000 and 2006 respectively, the Foreign Minister's position has been a very important one.

Like other ministers, the Foreign Minister is formally appointed by the President on the nomination of the Prime Minister, and is responsible to both the Prime Minister and the Parliament. The position may be held independently, or in conjunction with other ministerial responsibilities. From time to time, the Prime Minister has simultaneously served as Foreign Minister.

Along with all ministers, the Foreign Minister is constitutionally required to be a member of the Parliament.

As a British colony, Fiji had no Foreign Minister; the United Kingdom managed its external relations. The table below lists the individuals who have held the Foreign Affairs portfolio since Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970.

List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Fiji

Minister Political Party Term of office
1 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Alliance Party 1970–1982
2 Mosese Quionibaravi Alliance Party 1982–1984
3 Jonati Mavoa Alliance Party 1984–1985
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Alliance Party 1985
4 Semesa Sikivou Alliance Party 1985–1986
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Alliance Party 1986–1987
5 Krishna Datt Fiji Labour Party 1987
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Independent 1987
6 Filipe Bole Independent 1987–1988
(1) Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Independent 1988–1992
(6) Filipe Bole Fijian Political Party 1992–1994
7 Major-General (Rtd)
Sitiveni Rabuka
Fijian Political Party 1994
(6) Filipe Bole Fijian Political Party 1994–1997
8 Berenado Vunibobo Fijian Political Party 1997–1999
9 Tupeni Baba Fiji Labour Party 1999–2000
10 Kaliopate Tavola United Fiji Party 2000–2006
Isikeli Mataitoga
Acting Minister
Independent 2006–2007
11 Brigadier-General (Rtd)
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Independent 2007–2008
12 Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
Military 2008–2009
(12) Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
Military 2009
13 Ratu Inoke Kubuabola Independent 2009–2014
(13) Ratu Inoke Kubuabola FijiFirst 2014–Present

See also

Sources

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