Post: | Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation |
Body: | the Republic of Fiji |
Incumbent: | Sitiveni Rabuka |
Incumbentsince: | 24 December 2022 |
Department: | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation |
Status: | Foreign minister |
Member Of: | Cabinet of Fiji |
Seat: | Government Buildings |
Nominator: | Prime Minister of Fiji |
Appointer: | President of Fiji |
Termlength: | No term limit |
Inaugural: | Kamisese Mara |
Salary: | FJ$130,000 annually[1] |
The Minister for Foreign Affairs (commonly known as the Foreign Minister) is a cabinet minister responsible for foreign relations and diplomacy of Fiji, 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.
The following is a list of foreign ministers of Fiji since the country gained independence in 1970:[2] [3]
Name | Portrait | Tenure | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1970–1982 | ||
2 | Mosese Qionibaravi | 1982–1983 | ||
3 | Jonati Mavoa | 1983–1985 | ||
4 | Semesa Sikivou | 1985–1986 | ||
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1986–1987 | |||
5 | Krishna Datt | 1987 | ||
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1987 | |||
6 | Filipe Bole | 1987–1988 | ||
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1988–1992 | |||
Filipe Bole | 1992–1994 | |||
7 | Sitiveni Rabuka | 1994 | ||
Filipe Bole | 1994–1997 | |||
8 | Berenado Vunibobo | 1997–1999 | ||
9 | Tupeni Baba | 1999–2000 | ||
10 | Kaliopate Tavola | 2000–2006 | ||
— | Isikeli Mataitoga | 2006–2007 | ||
11 | Ratu Epeli Nailatikau | 2007–2008 | ||
12 | Frank Bainimarama | 2008–2009 | ||
2009 | ||||
13 | Ratu Inoke Kubuabola | 2009–2016 | ||
Frank Bainimarama | 2016–2019 | |||
14 | Inia Seruiratu | 2019–2020 | ||
Frank Bainimarama | 2020–2022 | |||
Sitiveni Rabuka | 2022–present |