Sitiveni Rabuka

Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka^[4] CF OBE MSD (Fijian: [sitʃiˈβeni ramˈbuka]; born 13 September 1948) is a Fijian politician. He has served as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022, after winning the 2022 general election.

Major General the Honourable[1] Sitiveni Rabuka CF, OBE, MSD
Rabuka in 2020
Prime Minister of Fiji
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 December 2022
President	Wiliame Katonivere
Deputy	Manoa Kamikamica Viliame Gavoka Biman Prasad
Preceded by	Frank Bainimarama
In office 2 June 1992 – 19 May 1999
President	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Preceded by	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Succeeded by	Mahendra Chaudhry
Leader of the Opposition
In office 26 November 2018 – 7 December 2020
Prime Minister	Frank Bainimarama
Preceded by	Teimumu Kepa
Succeeded by	Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
1st Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs
In office 1999–2001
Preceded by	Ratu Finau Mara[lower-alpha 1]
Succeeded by	Ratu Epeli Ganilau
5th Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
In office 1987–1992
Preceded by	Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Succeeded by	Ratu Epeli Ganilau
Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council
In office 24 May 2001 – 2008
Preceded by	Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Succeeded by	Emitai Boladuadua
Leader of SODELPA
In office 24 June 2016 – 28 November 2020
Preceded by	Teimumu Kepa
Succeeded by	Viliame Gavoka
Member for Cakaudrove West
In office 1999–2001
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Manasa Tugia
Personal details
Born	(1948-09-13) 13 September 1948 (age 75) Cakaudrove, Colony of Fiji
Political party	People's Alliance (2021–present)
Other political affiliations	Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (1991–2006) Social Democratic Liberal Party (2014–2015; 2016–2020)
Spouse(s)	Suluweti Tuiloma ​ (m. 1975)​
Military service
Nickname(s)	Steve[2] Rambo[3]
Allegiance	Dominion of Fiji (until 1987)  Fiji (since 1987)
Branch/service	Fijian Army
Years of service	1968–1991
Rank	Major General
Commands	Fijian Battalion
Battles/wars	Lebanese Civil War
Awards	Companion of the Order of Fiji Officer of the Order of the British Empire Officer of the Order of St John Meritorious Service Decoration Commander of the Legion of Honour (France) Commander of the Order of Tahiti Nui (French Polynesia)

In 1987, Rabuka headed two coups d'état, which overthrew the Labour government of Timoci Bavadra and made Fiji a republic. He formally apologised for these coups in 2006. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1992 until 1999, winning the 1992 and 1994 general elections as a member of Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, but losing the 1999 general election to Mahendra Chaudhry and the Labour Party. He later contested the 2018 general election for the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), but lost to incumbent Frank Bainimarama and the FijiFirst Party. He later founded the People's Alliance party in 2022 to contest the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament. Even though FijiFirst had a plurality, the did not have a majority and the People's Alliance was able to form a coalition government with the National Federation Party (NFP) and SODELPA after almost 16 years of FijiFirst being in government.

Notes

1. As Minister for iTaukei Affairs

References

1. "Fiji Prime Ministers Office Directory". Office of the Prime Minister. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
2. "Electoral Transparency Lessons for the US from Fiji". 22 December 2022.
3. "Sitiveni 'Rambo' Rabuka confirmed as Fiji's new prime minister".
4. Howell, Bronwyn (22 December 2022). "Electoral Transparency Lessons for the US from Fiji". AEI. Retrieved 24 December 2022.