Fiji’s Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi dies

FIJI – Nauru’s chief justice and a former Fiji vice president, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, has passed away.

Reports say he died in Suva after a short illness aged 59. Ratu Joni had been Nauru’s chief justice for the past two years.

He had been Fiji’s vice president for two years until December 2006 when he was removed in the military coup led by Frank Bainimarama who then for several years purported to be president.

Ratu Joni also served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Solomon Islands set up in 2008 to deal with the aftermath of the ethnic tension.

Tonga’s previous king made him a Lord.

A Fijian historian who currently lives in exile in Australia, Dr Brij Lal, said Ratu Joni will be favourably remembered right across the spectrum of Fiji society.

“Probably the most widely esteemed chief in 21st century Fiji, he was a man of great accomplishments but never stood on protocol. He was accessible to all and that’s the mark of a truly great man.” - RNZI