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GD writes: The notion of indigenous Fijians as a monolithic, indivisible racial entity - a people united behind their chiefs - is turned on its head in a startling new article by CommonMan, Grubsheet's columnist in the vanua, which points to deep divisions among the iTaukei about the conduct of the GCC. It is startling not only because CommonMan … [Read more...] about # COMMONMAN LIFTS THE VEIL ON A GRASSROOTS ITAUKEI REBELLION AGAINST THE CHIEFS

Fiji's minorities have cause to be afraid - very afraid - as Sitiveni Rabuka's Coalition government - in an unholy alliance with the Great Council of Chiefs - steps up its attempt to assert indigenous supremacy and marginalise other citizens. We long ago realised that we were all conned by Rabuka's assurance that he had learned the lessons of … [Read more...] about # THE PROVOCATIONS THAT TRIGGERED THE 2006 COUP RE-EMERGE BUT WITH NO-ONE TO STAND UP FOR THE MINORITIES

The GCC Chairman’s comments about how he found criticism of the RFMF’s matanigasau to the Great Council of Chiefs ‘unfortunate’ is thought provoking as it reveals the tension between culture and politics. Even more interesting is that this controversy persisted for a full week after the actual event concluded, especially on social media where … [Read more...] about # COMMONMAN HIT A RAW NERVE WHEN HE CRITICISED THE RFMF MATANIGASAU TO THE GCC. HE IS UNREPENTANT (UPDATED SAT AM)

The assumption that the removal of Frank Bainimarama from being able to contest next year's election means the inevitable triumph of Sitiveni Rabuka has been turned on its head with speculation that Ratu Tevita Mara - the newly-installed high chief of Lau - is destined to enter the political fray and take up the mantle of his father - the nation's … [Read more...] about # A NEW MARA ERA LOOMS AS RATU TEVITA CONTEMPLATES WIELDING HIS POWER AS THE SOLE D’HONDT “BIG MAN” CAPABLE OF DISLODGING SITIVENI RABUKA (UPDATED)

Three events have dominated the political discourse this week and have social media abuzz with discussion and debate - the gathering of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs), the RFMF matanigasau (traditional apology) to the GCC and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Their … [Read more...] about # STATE CAPTURE. COMMONMAN REFLECTS ON THE DOMINANT NARRATIVE IN FIJI FOR THE PAST 38 YEARS

"Sitiveni Rabuka’s submission to the T & R C was to be the crowning event of the last few days. His submission was supposed to cleanse his plate and free his name from blame. Everyone waited with bated breath, hoping that  Rabuka would name names and bring some sort of closure to the 38-year guessing game. From blaming Ratu Mara to … [Read more...] about # COMING TOMORROW (SUNDAY). COMMONMAN’S WITHERING CRITIQUE OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S APPEARANCE AT THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION