Kamisese Mara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency The Right Honourable Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara CF, GCMG, KBE
President of Fiji
In office 16 December 1993 – 29 May 2000 Acting: 16 December 1993 – 18 January 1994
Prime Minister	Sitiveni Rabuka Mahendra Chaudhry Ratu Tevita Momoedonu
Preceded by	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Succeeded by	Frank Bainimarama Head of the Interim Military Government
2nd First Vice-President of Fiji
In office 2 June 1992 – 15 December 1993 Serving with Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia Second Vice-President of Fiji
President	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Prime Minister	Sitiveni Rabuka
Preceded by	Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia
Succeeded by	Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia
4th Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)
In office 13 April 1987 – 14 May 1987
Governor General	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Preceded by	Harish Sharma
Succeeded by	Vacant
1st Prime Minister of Fiji
In office 10 October 1970 – 13 April 1987
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Robert Sidney Foster Ratu Sir George Cakobau Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Preceded by	Himself As Chief Minister
Succeeded by	Timoci Bavadra
In office 5 December 1987 – 2 June 1992
President	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Preceded by	Vacant
Succeeded by	Sitiveni Rabuka
1st Chief Minister of Fiji
In office 20 September 1967 – 10 October 1970
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Sir Derek Jakeway Sir Robert Sidney Foster
Preceded by	None (new office)
Succeeded by	Himself As Prime Minister
Personal details
Born	6 May 1920 Lomaloma, Vanua Balavu, Colony of Fiji
Died	18 April 2004(2004-04-18) (aged 83) Suva, Fiji
Resting place	Tubou, Lakeba, Fiji
Citizenship	Fijian
Nationality	British subject To 1970
Political party	Alliance Party
Spouses	Ro Lady Lala Mara (nee Tuisawau) 9 September 1950 – 18 April 2004 (his death)
Children	4 daughters, 3 sons; including Koila Nailatikau, Ateca Ganilau, Elenoa Mara-Rasova, Finau Mara, Tevita Mara (son)
Parent	Tevita Uluilakeba III (father)
Alma mater	University of Otago London School of Economics Wadham College, Oxford
Profession	Economist

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (born May 6, 1920 – died April 18, 2004) was a very important leader in Fiji. He was the first Chief Minister of Fiji from 1967 to 1970. This was when Fiji became independent from the United Kingdom. After that, he became the first Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1970 to 1992, with a short break in 1987. Later, he was the President of Fiji from 1993 to 2000.

Early Life and Education

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was born on May 6, 1920, in a place called Sawana, in the Lau Islands. His father was a chief named Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba. The title Ratu means "Chief" in Fiji, and it was passed down in his family. He became the main chief of the Lau Islands, holding titles like Tui Lau and Tui Nayau.

He went to several schools, including Queen Victoria School and Marist Brothers High School. He also studied medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand. However, his great-uncle, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who was also a very important chief, wanted him to lead the country. So, he asked Ratu Mara to study history at Wadham College, Oxford in the United Kingdom instead. Ratu Mara followed his uncle's wishes and earned a degree in 1949. He later studied economics in London.

In 1950, Ratu Mara married Ro Lady Lala Mara. Her title, Ro, also means she was a chief from another important family in Fiji. They had three sons and five daughters. Some of their children, like Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, also became involved in politics and served Fiji.

Becoming a Leader: 1950 to 1970

After finishing his studies, Ratu Mara started working in the government. In 1953, he joined the Legislative Council, which was like a parliament for Fiji when it was still a British colony. In 1963, he became a key advisor to the Governor, similar to a government minister today.

In 1966, he started a political party called the Alliance Party. This party became very popular, especially among native Fijians and Europeans. In 1967, the United Kingdom prepared Fiji for independence by setting up a new government system, similar to what they have in the UK. Ratu Mara was chosen as the first Chief Minister.

One big challenge before independence was that different groups in Fiji couldn't agree on how the new government should work. Native Fijians, including Ratu Mara, wanted special seats in parliament for different ethnic groups. They believed this would protect the rights of native Fijians. However, many Indo-Fijians (people of Indian descent living in Fiji) wanted all seats to be open to everyone, as they were a large part of the population.

In 1970, Ratu Mara and Sidiq Koya, the leader of the main Indo-Fijian party, found a way to agree. They decided that native Fijians and Indo-Fijians would have an equal number of seats in parliament. Some seats would be voted on by people of the same ethnic group, and others would be open to everyone. After this agreement, Fiji became an independent country on October 10, 1970.

Prime Minister of Fiji: 1970 to 1992

When Fiji became independent, the role of Chief Minister was changed to Prime Minister. Ratu Mara continued in this role. He won the first election after independence in 1972.

In March 1977, his party lost an election. Ratu Mara resigned, but the winning party had problems choosing a new leader. So, the Governor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, asked Ratu Mara to form a new government again. This was a bit controversial, but a new election later that year showed strong support for Ratu Mara's party.

Mara visiting the United States (1984)

In the 1982 election, Ratu Mara's party won again, but with fewer seats. He believed it was important to include Indo-Fijians in the government. He suggested forming a "government of national unity" with the opposition party, but they refused.

In 1987, Ratu Mara's party was finally defeated in an election. However, his retirement didn't last long. Fiji faced two military takeovers, called coups, led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. These events caused a lot of problems for Fiji's stability and its standing in the world. Ratu Mara was asked to return and lead a temporary government to help fix the country's economy and reputation. In 1992, he handed power back to an elected government.

President of the Republic: 1993 to 2000

After the 1987 coups, Fiji became a republic, which means it no longer had a monarch (like a king or queen). Instead, it had a President chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs. After being Prime Minister, Ratu Mara was chosen as Vice-President in 1992. He became the Acting President when the President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, became unwell. He officially became President in December 1993. The President's role was mostly honorary, but they had important powers to use during a national crisis.

A big crisis happened on May 19, 2000. A group of gunmen led by George Speight took over the Parliament building and kidnapped the Prime Minister and other government officials. Speight demanded that Ratu Mara step down as President. Ratu Mara refused to talk with the gunmen. He decided to take emergency powers himself to deal with the situation.

However, things became complicated. On May 28, Ratu Mara was taken onto a naval ship. There, military and police officers asked him to suspend the country's Constitution. He refused, saying, "If the Constitution goes, I go." It is believed that he was then forced to resign. He was taken to his home island. For the 80-year-old Ratu Mara, who had led Fiji for over 40 years, it was a sad end to his time in office.

The military government then appointed Ratu Josefa Iloilo as the new President. Later, the Supreme Court ruled that Ratu Mara's replacement was against the law and ordered him to be reinstated. But Ratu Mara decided to officially resign to prevent more problems for the country.

Achievements and Contributions

Ratu Mara made many important contributions to Fiji.

Sugarcane and Pine Industries

Under his leadership, Fiji became a major producer of sugarcane. The amount of sugarcane produced more than doubled between 1970 and 1987. Sugarcane is still a very important part of Fiji's economy.

He also started Fiji's pine industry. Today, pine forests cover a lot of land in Fiji. This industry brings in a lot of money for the country and provides jobs, especially for people in rural areas.

International Role

Ratu Mara was also important on the international stage. He helped to change the South Pacific Commission and helped start the Pacific Islands Forum, which are groups of Pacific nations working together.

He also played a role in creating a new United Nations International Law of the Sea Convention in 1982, which helps manage the oceans.

Ratu Mara was known for being friendly with the United States. He allowed US warships to visit Fijian ports. He also supported Taiwan, and they even helped publish his life story.

Honors and Awards

Ratu Mara received many awards and honors from around the world. Queen Elizabeth II gave him a knighthood in 1969. He also received honors from countries like Senegal and South Korea. He was named "Pacific Man of the Century" by Island Business Magazine for his important role in the Pacific region.

Criticisms and Challenges

Even with his many achievements, Ratu Mara faced some criticisms. Many Indo-Fijians felt he didn't do enough to stop the 1987 coups. They also criticized a new constitution written in 1990, which they felt favored native Fijians too much. Ratu Mara explained that he was trying to do his best in a difficult situation to avoid civil war. In 1996, he publicly apologized for his role in the 1990 Constitution.

Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the 1987 coup, later claimed that Ratu Mara had asked him to carry out the coups. Ratu Mara denied this and sued him.

Some native Fijians also criticized Ratu Mara. George Speight, who led the 2000 coup, accused Ratu Mara of not doing enough for ordinary native Fijians.

Later Life and Death

After he resigned, Ratu Mara went back to his home island of Lakeba. He continued to be involved in Fiji's politics through the Great Council of Chiefs, which advises the government and helps choose the President.

Ratu Mara had a stroke in 2001 and died in Suva on April 18, 2004. His funeral was a very big event, with thousands of people coming to pay their respects. Many people saw him as the "father of the nation."

His funeral caused some discussion, as some felt it was strange for the military, who had been involved in his removal from office, to honor him. His family also expressed concerns about the government's actions regarding people involved in the coup that removed him.

Cricket Career

Ratu Mara was also a talented cricket player. He played two important matches for the Fiji team in New Zealand in 1953/54. He scored 44 runs in one match before breaking his arm, which ended his tour and his first-class cricket career.

He also played in other matches for Fiji and even captained the team to a famous win against the West Indies in 1956.

Personal Life

Ratu Mara enjoyed sports like cricket, rugby, golf, and fishing. He was a Catholic and wrote that his faith was a "rock" in his life. He also wrote a book about his life called The Pacific Way: A Memoir. Ratu Mara was known for being a strong leader who could also forgive his opponents. He was survived by his wife, Adi Lala (who died later that same year), and several children.

• †In Mara's time, the office of Vice-President was held simultaneously by two individuals; Mara's tenure coincided with that of Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1992 to 1997). Tavaiqia was already First Vice-President, serving alongside Inoke Takiveikata as Second Vice-President; Takiveikata resigned in Mara's favour, and Tavaiqia moved to the post of Second Vice-President to allow Mara to assume that of First Vice-President.

See also

In Spanish: Kamisese Mara para niños

• Elenoa Mara-Rasova