The Minister for Foreign Affairs (commonly known as the Foreign Minister) is Fiji's Cabinet Minister responsible for international relations and diplomacy 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 another setback following the civilian insurrection which toppled the elected government in 2000, 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 House of Representatives. 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 either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
As a British colony, Fiji had no Foreign Minister; the United Kingdom managed its external relations. The table below lists the individuals who have held the Foreign Affairs portfolio since Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970, together with their terms of office and the Prime Ministers in whose administration they served. If the Foreign Minister was also Prime Minister at the time, this is indicated by an asterisk.
Order | Foreign Minister | Term of Office | Prime Minister served under |
1. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1970-1982 | * |
2. | Mosese Quionibaravi | 1982-1984 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
3. | Jonati Mavoa | 1984-1985 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1985 | * |
4. | Semesa Sikivou | 1985-1986 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1986-1987 | * |
5. | Krishna Datt | 1987 | Timoci Bavadra |
. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1987 | Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau (Governor-General) |
6. | Filipe Bole | 1987-1988 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1988-1992 | * |
. | Filipe Bole | 1992-1994 | Sitiveni Rabuka |
7. | Sitiveni Rabuka | 1994 | * |
. | Filipe Bole | 1994-1997 | Sitiveni Rabuka |
8. | Berenado Vunibobo | 1997-1999 | Sitiveni Rabuka |
9. | Tupeni Baba | 1999-2000 | Mahendra Chaudhry |
10. | Kaliopate Tavola | 2000-2006 | Laisenia Qarase |
11. | Ratu Epeli Nailatikau | 2007-2008 | Commodore Frank Bainimarama |
11. | Commodore Frank Bainimarama | 2008-2009 | * |
13. | Ratu Inoke Kubuabola | 2009-present | Commodore Frank Bainimarama |
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