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Sitiveni Rabuka

Major General
Sitiveni Rabuka
OBE MSD OSTJ MP
Sitiveni Rabuka July 2016.jpg
10th Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
24 June 2016
Preceded by Ro Teimumu Kepa
3rd Prime Minister of Fiji
In office
2 June 1992 – 19 May 1999
President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Preceded by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Succeeded by Mahendra Chaudhry
1st Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs
In office
1999–2001
Preceded by Ratu Finau Mara
As Minister for iTaukei Affairs
Succeeded by Ratu Epeli Ganilau
5th Commander of the Fiji Military Forces
In office
1987–1992
Preceded by Colonel Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Succeeded by Major General Ratu Epeli Ganilau
Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council
In office
24 May 2001 – 2008
Preceded by Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Personal details
Born (1948-09-13) 13 September 1948 (age 68)
Cakaudrove, Fiji
Political party Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (1991–2006)
Social Democratic Liberal Party (2014-2015; 2016-present)
Spouse(s) Suluweti Tuiloma
m. 10 April 1975
Religion Christianity (Methodism)
Awards Order of the British Empire
Legion of Honour
Military service
Allegiance  Fiji
Service/branch Fijian Army
Years of service 1968–1991
Rank Major General
Commands Fijian Battalion
Battles/wars Lebanese Civil War

Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, OBE, MSD, OStJ, (Fijian pronunciation: [sitʃiˈβeni ramˈbuka]; born 13 September 1948) is best known as the instigator of two military coups that shook Fiji in 1987. He was later democratically elected the third Prime Minister, serving from 1992 to 1999. He went on to serve as Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, and later served as Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council from 2001 to 2008. He was elected to this position on 24 May 2001 and re-elected for another three-year term on 13 April 2005. On 24 June 2016, Rabuka was elected as leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party, succeeding Leader of the Opposition Ro Teimumu Kepa who publicly dissaproved of Rabuka's nomination to replace her. Kepa would continue to serve as Parliamentary party leader till 2018.

The son of Kolinio Epeli Vanuacicila Rabuka and Salote Lomaloma Rabuka, he comes from the village of Drekeniwai on Vanua Levu, one of Fiji's two major islands. He was educated at Queen Victoria School, where he became the head boy in his final year. He represented Fiji in shot put, hammer throw, discus and the decathlon at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games. Rabuka was trained initially in New Zealand army schools, from which he graduated in 1973, and later did postgraduate work at the Indian Defence Services Staff College in 1979, and at the Australian Joint Services Staff College in 1982. He was a senior operation plans manager for UNIFIL peacekeeping troops in Lebanon in 1980 and 1981. On his return home, he was appointed Army Chief of Staff. From 1982 to 1987, he was an operations and training officer for the Fijian army, except for a two-year absence (1983–1985) when he commanded the Fijian Battalion as part of the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping force in the Sinai.


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