Tupeni Baba
Tupeni Lebaivalu Baba (born 1943 or 1944) is a Fijian academic, politician, and former Cabinet Minister. A founding member of the Fiji Labour Party, he served as a Cabinet Minister in the government of Timoci Bavadra until removed from office by the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, and then one of the two Deputy Prime Ministers in the government of Mahendra Chaudhry until removed from office by the 2000 Fijian coup d'état. After splitting with Choudhry in the wake of the coup, he founded the New Labour Unity Party to contest the 2001 election, but failed to win a seat in Parliament. He unsuccessfully attempting to re-enter politics at the 2006 election under the banner of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, and again at the 2014 election as part of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.
Tupeni Baba | |
|---|---|
Baba in 2022 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji | |
| In office May 1999 – 19 May 2000 | |
| Prime Minister | Mahendra Chaudhry |
| In office March 2001 – 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | Laisenia Qarase |
| Preceded by | Epeli Nailatikau |
| Succeeded by | Epeli Nailatikau |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1999 – 19 May 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Berenado Vunibobo |
| Succeeded by | Kaliopate Tavola |
| Minister for Education, Youth, and Sport | |
| In office April 1987 – 14 May 1987 | |
| Prime Minister | Timoci Bavadra |
| Member of the Fijian Parliament for Samabula Tamavua Open | |
| In office 15 May 1999 – 1 September 2001 | |
| Preceded by | None (constituency established) |
| Succeeded by | Manoa Dobui |
| Member of the Fijian Parliament for Suva Fijian | |
| In office 11 April 1987 – 14 May 1987 | |
| Preceded by | David Toganivalu |
| Succeeded by | None (Constitution abrogated) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1943 or 1944 (age 79–80) |
| Political party | Fiji Labour Party New Labour Unity Party Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Social Democratic Liberal Party |
When not in politics, Baba has pursued an academic career, first at the University of the South Pacific, then at the University of Auckland's Centre for Pacific Studies, and later at the University of Fiji.