Joe Biden welcomed on Saturday December 24 the return to power as Prime Minister of Fiji of Sitiveni Rabuka, nicknamed "
Rambo
", and called for "
strengthening
" of ties between the United States and the Pacific archipelago.
"
In the years to come, I look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds between our peoples and realizing our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region
," the US president said in a statement.
The term “
Indo-Pacific
” is regularly used by the American administration to designate the Asia-Pacific region.
Sitiveni Rabuka, a 74-year-old former army strongman, defeated incumbent Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama by 28 to 27 in a secret vote in parliament on Saturday, House Speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu said.
The former prime minister (between 1992 and 1999), twice putschist thus replaces Frank Bainimarama, who had overthrown the government during a military coup in 2006.
Fiji is one of the most populous and prosperous Pacific island nations.
The country moved closer to China during the reign of Frank Bainimarama.
His successor has hinted he will instead return to traditional allies and neighbors Australia and New Zealand
