Pacific

Ratu Tevita Mara receives 'greenlight' to enter Fiji, included in Great Council of Chiefs meeting

12:48 pm on 20 May 2023

Ratu Tevita Mara has been living in Tonga since 2011. Photo: Linny Folau / Matangi Tonga

The Fiji Police have removed a border alert issued against a high chief and former military general who has been living in exile in Tonga.

Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara confirmed to RNZ Pacific on Friday that the country's top cop has given his assurance he was "free to enter Fiji" and not subject to an arrest.

According to Ratu Tevita, acting police commissioner Juki Fong Chew has informed him that there was a "misunderstanding" on the issuance of the "person of interest" border notice against him.

Earlier this week, the son of Fiji's first PM said he would travel back to Fiji for the chiefs' meeting despite concerns about his arrest.

RNZ Pacific understands the he has also been included as one of Lau province's three chiefs for the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting.

The list of over 40 chiefs from Fiji's 14 provinces to attend the GCC gathering was released by the iTaukei Affairs Ministry on Friday.

"I have been given the green light to travel to Fiji and have been assured that the border notice has been withdrawn," he said.

"There was a misunderstanding and the Acting Police Commissioner was not initially updated."

The GCC meeting will be taking place next Wednesday and Thursdsay on Bau Island.