Present)
Since 1999, when the Council chose its own chairman for the first time, the following individuals have held the office. In April 2007, the Council was suspended by "interim prime minister" and military leader Frank Bainimarama, who had taken power in a coup in December 2006. In February 2008, Bainimarama announced that he was appointing himself chairman of the Council. In early August 2008, it was announced that the Great Council of Chiefs was ready to reconvene. It would be chaired by the Minister for Fijian Affairs - namely, at that time, Commodore Bainimarama. In October 2008, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was named Minister of Indigenous (Fijian) Affairs, and therefore also Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs.
In April 2009, Nailatikau was appointed Vice-President of Fiji. As he is no longer Minister for Indigenous Affairs, it is not yet clear whether he remains Chairman of the Council.
| Order | Chairman | Term of Office |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sitiveni Rabuka | 1999–2001 |
| 2. | Ratu Epeli Ganilau | 2001–2004 |
| 3. | Ratu Ovini Bokini | 2004-April 2007 |
| 4. | Frank Bainimarama | February 2008-October 2008 |
| 5. | Ratu Epeli Nailatikau | October 2008 – present |
Read more about this topic: Chairman Of The Great Council Of Chiefs (Fiji), Chairmen of The Great Council of Chiefs (1999