END OF AN ERA FOR PRESIDENT RATU JOSEFA ILOILOVATU ULUIVUDA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS

Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda

The President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda will be retiring on Thursday, 30th July 2009, when he takes his annual leave after nine years in the position. Ratu Josefa was the world’s oldest head of state at the age of 88 years and was sworn in as President by the Great Council of Chiefs in December 2000.

This was announced by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands who visited Ratu Josefa at Government House yesterday, 28 July 2009. The Vice-President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will perform the functions of the President until a substantive appointment is made by the Chief Justice upon the recommendation and nomination of Cabinet.

Commodore Bainimarama in commending the President said that Ratu Iloilo has served Fiji with fortitude and strength and without his undying fervor and commitment to correct the injustices of the pasts, it is unlikely that there would have been such a groundswell of compassion and enthusiasm to implement major reforms. He emphasised that the people’s charter initiative originated from and is an integral part of Ratu Josefa’s mandate given to government to move the country forward.