Split in PM's party reveals stark reality of Fijian politics

A political analyst says Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's recent announcement about a split in his ruling People's Alliance Party (PAP) should not surprise many.

Before leaving Suva to attend Fiji Day celebrations in Auckland last weekend, Rabuka posted on social media that some members of the PAP plan to break away and form a new political party.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, right, at the Fiji Day celebrations in Auckland. At left is PMN Board chair Saimoni Lealea. Photo/supplied

He said the People's Alliance remained strong, united, and fully committed to delivering its promises to the Fijian people.

"I'm aware that some members of the People's Alliance Party are planning to form a new political party ahead of the 2026 general elections," Rabuka said.

"They are free to do so. We will not be distracted. Our focus is clear, and our mission continues."

Rabuka leads a three-party coalition with the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social, Democratic, Liberal Party (SODELPA), which came into power in December 2022.

Following the celebrations in Auckland, the Fijian leader headed to Sāmoa to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Apia.

Political analyst Jope Tarai, of the Australian National University, says Rabuka's announcement may come as a surprise for some, but not for many including other PAP members.

"The reason why it's not so much a surprise is it's something that is a consistent aspect of indigenous Fijian politics. And Fijian politics is fluid. We've seen it in the previous administration and certainly, it is no surprise now.

"There's no other person that has been able to withstand the fluidity of Fijian politics as far as Fiji's concerned that has mastered having to survive it than Mr Rabuka himself.

"In the 90s, there had been leadership challenges with the SVT. This is well documented in a variety of books that have been written about the time, and articles as well.

"In the early 90s, it ended up having the opposite effect. If some people are thinking that it would have weakened his position on power, it actually consolidated his position in the early 90s when snap election happened or drift.

"I don't really think that it was a surprise because of the fluidity of indigenous politics. Some former parliamentarians have come out strongly criticising this particular situation," Tarai said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hosted Rabuka to dinner on Saturday following the Fiji Day celebrations in Auckland, the Fijian High Commission said.

Deputy prime minister Manoa Kamikamica has called on those who plan to start their party should "resign immediately".

In a statement, he said they had "no respect for the tens of thousands of Fijians who cast their vote because they believed in the prime minister and the People's Alliance vision".

Kamikamica is among several high-profile members of the People's Alliance and cabinet who have come out in support of Rabuka, including Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo and Sugar Minister Charan Jeet Singh.

Fiji's Deputy PM Manoa Kamikamica says PAP members who plan to form a new political party should "resign immediately". Photo/Fiji govt

Tarai said politicians who left parliament argued this was the problem with indigenous religion.

"They can't stick together and that is to assume that we don't have this pretentious. There is this pretentious.

"To assume that any indifference group or grouping by particular ethnic categories must always agree is to assume that we don't live in a democracy. That is by and large the nature of democracy.

"Mr Rabuka is no stranger to leadership challenges. I think he has survived quite a fair amount of leadership challenges.

"The fact that he is the first person pointing it out or being open about it shows he's not only experienced in having to survive such leadership challenges but also in some way a certain noted level in the tone of things, quite confident that whatever is done or whatever may come of it, they will have to see in the outcome of elections in turn."

Tarai believes Rabuka will feature in the 2026 vote and says there is not enough time for a new party to be set up for the next general election.

Watch the 54th Fiji Day celebrations in Auckland below.