Fijian PM to resign as military commander in March

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said he would resign as Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) commander in March to prepare for the upcoming general election, local media reported Thursday.

According to news website Fijivillage, Bainimarama has confirmed this during a session on his tour to the South Pacific island country's Northern Division, saying he will resign from the commander's post in March to concentrate on his new political party for the general election to be held later this year.

The country's Political Parties Registration Decree states that a public officer shall not be eligible to be an applicant, an official or a member of a proposed political party or a political party registered under the decree. Members of the military forces are classified as public officers.

Under Fiji's 2013 Constitution, which came into effect in September last year, the RFMF commander is appointed by the president after advice from the Constitutional Offices Commission.

In the transitional period, the prime minister will recommend the name of the commander to the president for appointment, said the report.

Bainimarama, a naval officer who came to power after the 2006 coup, has said he would form a political party and run for the upcoming general election, which will be held by Sept. 30 this year.