A Fijian academic says that elections aren't the end solution to her country's problems.
Dr Alumita Durutalo, a political scientist at the University of the South pacific, is currently in New Zealand to address the Pacific Co-operation Foundation's symposium aimed at helping New Zealand improve its engagement with Melanesia.
Dr Durutalo says that in order to stabilise political governance in Melanesia, the roots of conflict must be resolved first.
She says that in the case of Fiji, political conflicts haven't been properly resolved since the first coup in 1987.
Dr Durutalo says instead of constantly pushing for elections, Australia and New Zealand could help Fiji more by assisting to establish good political, economic and social governance.
"What leaders have focussed on is just going back to elections. That is good but we must remember that the nature of conflicts are so complex, some have evolved from the pre-European period, and that is why I say that we must look for solutions first before we carry on."
Dr Alumita Durutalo
