Isikia Savua

Isikia Rabici Savua is a senior Fijian diplomat, who has previously had a distinguished career in the Military and police forces before taking up his present post as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations on 4 March 2003.

Career

Savua spent 18 years in the Fijian army, which he joined on leaving high school in 1971. When he retired from Military service in 1998, he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The following four years (1988 - 1992) were spent in the Fiji Diplomatic Corps, first as Counsellor (political) to the Fiji Mission to the United Nations, and then (for six months) as Consul General to Sydney, Australia.

In 1992, Savua joined the Fiji Police Force as Deputy Commissioner, the second highest position in the force. A year later, he was promoted to the post of Commissioner. He was to hold this top office until 2002.

Coup controversy

The Fiji coup of 2000, in which saw the fall of the government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, took place during Savua's tenure as Police Commissioner. In [http://www.fijihosting.com/pcgov/docs_o/mara_interview_29april.htm an interview] with Fiji Television on 29 April 2001, his last media appearance before being incapacitated by a stroke, Mara accused Savua of having been a party to the planning of the coup. This allegation [http://www.parliament.gov.fj/hansard/viewhansard.aspx?hansardID=266&viewtype=full was later repeated] on 22 October 2004 under parliamentary privilege by Senator Adi Koila Nailatikau, Mara's daughter, who condemned his appointment as an Ambassador while still under investigation for alleged coup-related offences. Savua has not been charged with any crime, and has denied the allegations.

Personal life

Savua hails from the village of Tobu in the district of Nakorotubu, in Ra Province, and is married to Frances, with whom he has two sons, Daniel and Josefa.