The President's Political Dialogue Forum
President's Political Dialogue Forum In April 2008, President Iloilo approved the convening of the Political Dialogue Forum.
The President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) was seen as the only way forward to “lay a solid foundation for long-term peace and political stability”.
To date, three political parties forums (PPF) have taken place to discuss the agenda, composition and processes for the PPDF.
In his opening remark at the first Political Parties Forum (PPF) in October last year, Commodore Bainimarama stated. “Today, I hope we can begin our talks with open minds and hearts, and base our dialogue on the principles of inclusion, sincerity, honesty, respect for differences, and respect for the aspirations of all our different communities – for economic, political and social justice and progress”. He added that “electoral reform must be placed as the highest priority on the agenda of the Forum.”
The 2nd PPF on the 13th of March 2009 agreed to the inclusion of 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the upcoming PPDF. Although members of CSOs welcomed the inclusion, there were some concerns regarding the process. The procedure required each political party to nominate up to three organisations following the proposed criteria for membership of NGOs for the PPDF. The 15 CSOs would then be selected by Bainimarama.
Four political parties (SDL, NFP, UPP, and NVTPL) were excluded from the discussions as the 3rd PPF convened on the 9th of April. According to Bainimarama, the exclusion of the four political parties’ were due to their inability “to operate beyond their political agendas, parochial and communal politics” and their failure to “give certain commitments in an unambiguous manner”.
The 3rd PPF was to finalize matters such as the composition of the PPDF including civil society participation, decision making process and the selection of the mediation team so that the UN and
Commonwealth could be invited to commence the PPDF process.
At the moment the PPDF appears to be stalled and it is unclear what the positions of the United Nations, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the interim government regarding the way forward with the PPDF.
The President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) was seen as the only way forward to “lay a solid foundation for long-term peace and political stability”.
To date, three political parties forums (PPF) have taken place to discuss the agenda, composition and processes for the PPDF.
In his opening remark at the first Political Parties Forum (PPF) in October last year, Commodore Bainimarama stated. “Today, I hope we can begin our talks with open minds and hearts, and base our dialogue on the principles of inclusion, sincerity, honesty, respect for differences, and respect for the aspirations of all our different communities – for economic, political and social justice and progress”. He added that “electoral reform must be placed as the highest priority on the agenda of the Forum.”
The 2nd PPF on the 13th of March 2009 agreed to the inclusion of 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the upcoming PPDF. Although members of CSOs welcomed the inclusion, there were some concerns regarding the process. The procedure required each political party to nominate up to three organisations following the proposed criteria for membership of NGOs for the PPDF. The 15 CSOs would then be selected by Bainimarama.
Four political parties (SDL, NFP, UPP, and NVTPL) were excluded from the discussions as the 3rd PPF convened on the 9th of April. According to Bainimarama, the exclusion of the four political parties’ were due to their inability “to operate beyond their political agendas, parochial and communal politics” and their failure to “give certain commitments in an unambiguous manner”.
The 3rd PPF was to finalize matters such as the composition of the PPDF including civil society participation, decision making process and the selection of the mediation team so that the UN and
Commonwealth could be invited to commence the PPDF process.
At the moment the PPDF appears to be stalled and it is unclear what the positions of the United Nations, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the interim government regarding the way forward with the PPDF.
Statment and Outcomes of the PPF
1st PPF: 27th October 2008
Opening Remarks by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Media Statement and Outcomes of Meeting of Political Leaders
2nd PPF: 13th March 2009
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Media Statement and Outcomes of Meeting of Political Leaders]
3rd PPF: 9th April 2009
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Statements and Outcomes of the Political Leaders Meeting]
Other Statements:
9th April 2009 Commonwealth Secretariat
Opening Remarks by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Media Statement and Outcomes of Meeting of Political Leaders
2nd PPF: 13th March 2009
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Media Statement and Outcomes of Meeting of Political Leaders]
3rd PPF: 9th April 2009
Statement by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama
Concluding Statements and Outcomes of the Political Leaders Meeting]
Other Statements:
9th April 2009 Commonwealth Secretariat
