By Kassi Berg
Fiji’s leader, nurse Commodore Frank Bainimarama, store who seized power in a military coup in 2006, believes it is time Fiji had a new constitution and a new flag. Bainimarama tore up Fiji’s previous constitution in 2009. In his annual New Year’s address, he announced that the new constitution will be ready in three months.
The Fiji has also changed its currency. The Royal family had graced Fiji’s currency since 1934; however, now the monarchs have been replaced with a design of flora and fauna. The new currency, both bank notes and coins, went into circulation on January 1, 2013.
As for the new Fiji flag, Commodore Bainimarama said it will be a chance for Fiji to “reinforce a new Fijian identity.” Fiji’s current flag, adopted in 1970, displays the red white and blue Union Flag of Britain in the top left-hand corner and a shield from Fiji’s coat of arms on a sky-blue background. Some suspect that the British Union Flag will be dropped from the new flag design just as the Fiji its identity as a former a former British colony was dropped from the currency. However, Bainimarama only said that the flag will be “revamped.”
It is said that Fijians will be given an opportunity to design their new flag.
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