Fijian authorities today announced that it will lift the state of emergency imposed in 2009 it will lift the state of emergency imposed in 2009.
The Fijian prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, said in a new year’s message that the emergency regulations would be repealed. These gave police and the military extended powers, imposed tough censorship on the media and tightly controlled public assembly.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the announcement by Fiji, calling it a “positive step” towards restoring constitutional order in the South Pacific archipelago.
Mr. Ban welcomed also the step and stressed “that it is essential that Fiji’s authorities and all Fijian stakeholders engage in a constructive process of dialogue towards an inclusive election at the earliest.”
The military government of 2006 coup leader Commodore Bainimarama overturned the country’s constitution in 2009 after the country’s court of appeal ruled the military government was illegal.
Last year, during an address to the General Assembly’s annual General Debate, Commodore Bainimarama outlined details of a political road map – which includes the drafting of a new constitution – leading to national elections by September 2014.
