People’s Alliance rebuilds youth base after internal rifts

People’s Alliance party president Ratu Josefa Dimuri says he is confident the party continues to have strong support from young people as it gears up for the next general election.

Ratu Josefa described the turnout at the party’s Young Alliance Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Suva on Saturday as strong, despite recent claims that the party had lost youth support.

Earlier in October, the party faced internal tensions after some youth supporters accused it of failing to fulfil promises made ahead of the 2022 General Election.

“We’re back on track,” Ratu Josefa said, pointing to the turnout at Saturday’s meeting.

“We still have support, but the issue was that the previous executives were not doing what they were supposed to do to keep the branches active,” he said.

“We were concerned when executives did not turn up for our special AGM, but the support is still there, and that was reflected in the numbers we saw on Saturday.”

Ratu Josefa said young people were often overlooked once elections were over.

“In our case, I don’t know what happened to our youth executives. They just fizzled out and became inactive,” he said.

“So we decided to hold another special general meeting and call for new office bearers.”

He denied that the party was responsible for unfulfilled promises made to young supporters during the 2022 election campaign.

“I think those promises were made by individual ministers and candidates, not the party,” Ratu Josefa said.

“Candidates made promises during campaigning, but they should be held responsible for those commitments.”

He said the party had received reports of candidates making false promises and warned they would be held accountable ahead of the next election.

“We don’t tolerate that,” he said.

Ratu Josefa said the party had strengthened its presence nationwide, particularly through youth workshops.

“We want young people to realise the power they have,” he said.

“They hold the crown in their hands and decide who they give it to. They are a political force to be reckoned with.”

He said young people were increasingly aware of their importance to political parties.

The Young Alliance new office bearers are:

• President - Salote Bulitavu
• Vice President - Kava Fuata
• Secretary - Manasa Navara
• Treasurer - Neha Kumar

Committee members

• Central YA President - Charlotte Rauca
• Western President - Leone Tagicakibau
• Eastern President - Saiasi Vakaloloma
• Northern President - Rapoama Raqi

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