Sitiveni Rabuka

Sitiveni Rabuka
Rabuka in 2023
Prime Minister of Fiji
Assumed office
24 December 2022
President
Deputy
Preceded byFrank Bainimarama
In office
2 June 1992  19 May 1999
President
DeputyFilipe Bole
Timoci Vesikula
Taufa Vakatale
Preceded byRatu Sir Kamisese Mara
Succeeded byMahendra Chaudhry
Leader of the Opposition
In office
26 November 2018  7 December 2020
Prime MinisterFrank Bainimarama
Preceded byTeimumu Kepa
Succeeded byRatu Naiqama Lalabalavu
Leader of SODELPA
In office
24 June 2016  28 November 2020
Preceded byTeimumu Kepa
Succeeded byViliame Gavoka
Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council
In office
24 May 2001  2008
Preceded byRatu Inoke Kubuabola
Succeeded byEmitai Boladuadua
1st Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs
In office
1999–2001
Preceded byRatu Finau Mara
Succeeded byRatu Epeli Ganilau
Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji
In office
July 1991  1992
Serving with Josefata Kamikamica
Prime MinisterKamisese Mara
Succeeded byTomasi Vakatora
5th Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
In office
1987  April 1991
Preceded byRatu Epeli Nailatikau
Succeeded byRatu Epeli Ganilau
Member of the Papua New Guinean Parliament
for Cakaudrove West
In office
19992001
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byManasa Tugia
Personal details
Born (1948-09-13) 13 September 1948
Nakobo, Cakaudrove,
Colony of Fiji
Political partyPeople's Alliance (since 2021)
Other political
affiliations
    • SVT (1991–2006)
    • SODELPA (2014–2015; 2016–2020)
Spouse
Suluweti Tuiloma
(m. 1975)
Nicknames
  • Steve
  • Rambo
Military service
Allegiance
Branch Fiji Infantry Regiment
Service years1968–1991
RankMajor General
CommandsFijian Battalion
ConflictLebanese Civil War
Awards

Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka CF OBE MSD (Fijian: [sitʃiˈβeni ramˈbuka]; born 13 September 1948) is a Fijian politician, sportsman, and former soldier who has been serving as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. He was democratically elected as Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1992 to 1999, and again in 2022, leading a three-party coalition. He also served as Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs from 1999 to 2001, and later as Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council from 2001 to 2008.

Rabuka was elected as leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party in 2016, succeeding Leader of the Opposition Ro Teimumu Kepa, who publicly disapproved of Rabuka's nomination to replace her. He was appointed as the leader of the Opposition to Parliament in 2018, following the 2018 election defeat. He was the only nomination for the position, and his nomination was moved by Ro Teimumu Kepa and seconded by Biman Prasad. He was ousted as SODELPA leader by Viliame Gavoka in a leadership contest. Rabuka resigned from parliament in 2020, citing that he would no longer be an obstacle to the bipartisan approach to be taken by the leaders of Fiji to create harmony and progress, and unity in Fiji. He formed a new political party in 2020, named Peoples Alliance, to contest the 2022 election.