Saturday, February 6, 2021

5 ways the Pacific region can recover with integrity in 2021

While the whole world looks hopefully ahead to 2021 as a year of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme for 2020's International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, “Recover with Integrity” has a particular relevance for the Pacific region.

 In April this year, parts of the Pacific experienced a double crisis, with Cyclone Harold wreaking destruction in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga on top of the public health emergency. In addition to the economic disruption, tragic loss of life and widespread damage, the Category 5 storm and the virus have both created risks of further exploitation of governance systems which were already weak.

In the Pacific, as elsewhere, significant measures continue to be taken to respond to the immediate threat of COVID-19 and help lives and livelihoods recover in its aftermath. Several Pacific countries have declared a State of Emergency and created economic stimulus packages, and international aid in the form of funding and equipment has poured in to support governments implement their response plans and strengthen national health systems.

With these commendable efforts, however, comes a key challenge: limited transparency and accountability in government responses. There have been allegations of diversions of funds and limited adherence to proper procurement processes, which creates opportunities for bribery, kickbacks, and contract malfeasance. Without adequate access to information, and enough capacity of oversight mechanisms, it is difficult to verify or disprove these claims. In some countries, anti-corruption and right to information laws are in place – but enforcement and implementation of the policies that support them have been met with obstacles, including resource challenges and, at the root of it, limited political will.

Through a series of specific recommendations, civil society in some Pacific countries have put pressure on governments to become more transparent and accountable. But this pressure has not always been well received. State of Emergency powers have been used to narrow the space for civil society to play its vital role in combatting corruption and supporting sustainable development. Solomon Islands for example recently announced that it would ban Facebook, a key tool for engaging and sharing information with the public. There have also been concerns over limited press freedom in several countries. Under its State of Emergency declared earlier in the year, Vanuatu ruled in its official gazette that media outlets can only publish stories about COVID-19 if they get official authorisation.

Access to information is a human right and crucial for citizens to make important choices, particularly at a time of unprecedented crisis when the timely access to accurate information is literally a matter of life and death. Social and traditional media are also essential for allowing dialogue between citizens, especially young people, and duty bearers, so that policy can best be shaped to meet the most urgent needs of vulnerable populations.

At the beginning of this year, some Pacific leaders adopted the ‘Teieniwa Vision’, which is a commitment of their collective efforts to tackle corruption in all levels of society. It recognises the importance of strong leadership and building political will to unite against corruption. However, this vision is yet to translate into bold deliberate collective action which would lead to a reduction of corruption rates across the region.

During the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, key civil society groups are calling upon Pacific leaders to do five things.

1)    Prioritise the strengthening of national governance and integrity systems in order to tackle corruption and achieve greater impact with pandemic response measures, particularly for those most vulnerable.

2)    Review progress on the Teieniwa Vision and agree on key steps to strengthen action in 2021 for greater government transparency and accountability.

3)    Urgently establish inclusive national processes for auditing state of emergency finances and procurement to date.

4)    Establish and adequately resource key oversight mechanisms in order to build capacity and let them function effectively.  

5)    Last but not least, ensure freedom of expression, and press freedom across the region.

These measures would both empower citizens and protect essential resources from corruption and malfeasance, supporting the Pacific’s recovery and future sustainable development. Governments throughout the Pacific have a duty to turn vision into action.

 Joseph Veramu is PT Executive Director of Civic Leaders for Clean Transactions (CLCT) Integrity Fiji and Higher Education Consultant at FNU.

Mariam Mathew is Regional Advisor for the Pacific at Transparency International

Time for Constructive Resolution and Closure to the USP Saga

Finding a solution



The USP saga continues unabated and it is time to find an amicable and constructive solution.  All those involved should come together and iron out their differences in the spirit of Pacific regionalism. We have so many challenges brought about by the pandemic and can’t be bogged down indefinitely with a regional conflict that affects our students, staff and their learning. The saga is polarising nations and this is destructive for the development of higher education in the region.

There are huge climate change issues to be tackled and sustainable development initiatives to be implemented and we cannot continue to be side-tracked. In reaching an affirming resolution we must ensure that Integrity and Transparency are never compromised.

Media affected

From the outset, the matter has been complicated by the shutting out of the media from freely reporting council meetings or of covering press briefings of staff or students held at Laucala Campus. When Ahluwalia was suspended last year and deported last week, details had been sparse in the mainstream media. This had allowed social media innuendo to thrive.

 We understand that Professor Ahluwalia was deported because he was a public risk and that there were “continuous breaches of the Immigration Act.” There have been no specific details provided of the alleged breaches. Weeks earlier, social media had been rife with rumours that he would be deported. It was reported that New Zealand's foreign ministry has expressed concern at the implications of VC Ahluwalia's removal, and said it would work with other USP Council members for a resolution.

Importance of media

The media is extremely important in helping the Fijian, Pacific and global public to understand both sides of the conflict. They should be allowed to report objectively without restrictions. Since they have been effectively shut out of Laucala Campus and cannot cover Council meetings and  press briefings by Staff and Students, the Pacific public has not been able to get a holistic picture.

 They have been exposed mainly to Professor Ahluwalia’s narrative. He is very articulate and understands that mainstream and social media thrive on sound bytes during prime-time radio and TV news segments. He has always clearly articulated his arguments pitching it as a narrative of integrity at USP. I have chatted with 4 reporters from 3 Fijian media outlets and from their tone, they are infatuated with Professor Ahluwalia. He comes across as a ‘larger-than-life’ character from a Netflix movie. He was abruptly suspended last year and last week he was visited in the middle of the night by 15 officials yet all his images from both incidents show him exuding inner calmness. It is hard to demonise someone who after an ordeal says, “I praise the Lord and thank Almighty God for hearing the prayers of so many people throughout the region and for good governance, integrity and ethics to prevail.” (Fiji Sun 5-9-20).

 Whistle-blower

Ahluwalia has also shaped the narrative as "a classic case of beating the whistle-blower up." This was a variation of his previous assertion that he was the victim of a witch hunt, after raising concerns about governance issues and financial mismanagement. He had alleged widespread financial irregularities by his predecessor and the current pro-chancellor. An investigation substantiated some of his findings and called for stronger oversight by the university council. The USP's executive committee suspended him in 2020 when it came up with 33 allegations. There were protests from students and staff, and the suspension was later overturned by the University Council

 When VC Ahluwalia had raised his allegation, he had provided purported documentary evidence and had stated that he could provide more if required. When the 33 allegations were made against him (resulting in his suspension by the Executive Committee in 2020) there was no mention in any of the mainstream media of documentary evidence being provided. It was later reported that the USP Council looked at the allegations and that ‘A report from an investigation into allegations against Mr Ahluwalia, could not substantiate any of the 33 claims.’

I am not sure if the Media is inaccurately reporting the sentiments of Ahluwalia’s accusers. Their narrative sounds defensive and does not clearly attack the issues.

 Solution needed

Going forward, it is important that the media is given access to report freely on the USP saga (or any other sensitive issues in future). They should be allowed to enter Laucala Campus and attend press briefings by staff and students and should also be allowed to wait around for Council meeting briefings.  This is the only way that the Pacific public will get access to both sides of the conflict objectively.

 Although there have been many attempts to demonise Professor Ahluwalia, he has continued to receive support from a majority of Pacific nations in the Council including Australia and New Zealand who provide recurrent funding for USP while Fiji’s grant is currently withheld. It is time for Fiji and Nauru, two very close partners who have enjoyed very cordial relations in the past to engage for the greater good of the region.

It is also time to follow the American adage that if you can’t beat them (your adversaries), you can do the next best thing; join them. With this adage in mind, this is clearly looking like a lost cause and it is time to bite the bullet and work together for the greater good of Pacific regionalism. If we keep prolonging this saga it will have long term negative repercussions. 

Joseph Veramu can be contacted at joseph.veramu@outlook.com

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