Tevita Mara
Encyclopedia
Ratu
Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara is a Fiji
an career soldier, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
as of early 2006. On 3 February, he was named Army Chief of Staff, succeeding Colonel
Meli Saubulinayau
, a close relative of his. This position is the fourth highest in the Fijian Military
, behind that of the Military Commander (Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
), Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff RFMF (Captain Esala Teleni
) and the Land Force Commander (Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti
). Mara held the position for several months, before he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Third Infantry Regiment, a key position in the Fiji Army as he controls the infantry division, that has about 500 gun-carrying soldiers. He attended his staff course at Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, Haigate,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005 (Class 34/2005).
In May 2011 he was charged with mutiny and accused of attempting to overthrow Bainimarima's government. He fled Fiji on 9 May 2011 with the aid of the Royal Tongan Navy, and has been declared a fugitive by the Fijian government under the Extradition
Act. Mara released a video on May 14 criticising Bainimarima and the Fijian Attorney-General, Aiyaz Khayum. He subsequently met with officials in Australia and New Zealand.
Mara is one of two surviving sons of the late Ratu
Sir
Kamisese Mara
, Fiji's longtime Prime Minister
and President
. He first joined the Army in 1988. His older brother, Ratu
Finau Mara
, has also served in the Army.
He is married to Dolores Thaggard, a pharmacist.
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara is a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an career soldier, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
as of early 2006. On 3 February, he was named Army Chief of Staff, succeeding Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Meli Saubulinayau
Meli Saubulinayau
Colonel Ratu Meli Saubulinayau is a Fijian career soldier, who, as of January 2006, headed the Strategic Unit in Suva. He was appointed to the post at the beginning of January 2006...
, a close relative of his. This position is the fourth highest in the Fijian Military
Military of Fiji
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces are the military of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of 3,500 active soldiers and 6,000 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world. However, most of its surrounding island nations have no militaries at all...
, behind that of the Military Commander (Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Frank Bainimarama
Frank Bainimarama
Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, CF, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu , is a Fijian naval officer and politician. He is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces and, as of April 2009, Prime Minister...
), Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff RFMF (Captain Esala Teleni
Esala Teleni
Captain Esala Teleni is a Fijian naval officer, who currently serves as the Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force. He was appointed to this post on 1 July 2007....
) and the Land Force Commander (Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti
Pita Driti
Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti is a Fijian soldier. As of January 2007, he serves as the Land Force Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, the third most senior position in the Military...
). Mara held the position for several months, before he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Third Infantry Regiment, a key position in the Fiji Army as he controls the infantry division, that has about 500 gun-carrying soldiers. He attended his staff course at Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, Haigate,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005 (Class 34/2005).
In May 2011 he was charged with mutiny and accused of attempting to overthrow Bainimarima's government. He fled Fiji on 9 May 2011 with the aid of the Royal Tongan Navy, and has been declared a fugitive by the Fijian government under the Extradition
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
Act. Mara released a video on May 14 criticising Bainimarima and the Fijian Attorney-General, Aiyaz Khayum. He subsequently met with officials in Australia and New Zealand.
Mara is one of two surviving sons of the late Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Kamisese Mara
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBE is considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992...
, Fiji's longtime Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
and President
President of Fiji
The President of the Republic of Fiji is the head of state of Fiji. The President was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution. The Great Council of Chiefs is constitutionally required to consult the Prime Minister, but...
. He first joined the Army in 1988. His older brother, Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Finau Mara
Finau Mara
Ratu Alifereti Finau Mara is a Fijian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He is best known as the eldest son of former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Since December 2001, he has held the official position of Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner, representing Fiji's interests...
, has also served in the Army.
He is married to Dolores Thaggard, a pharmacist.