Viliame Naupoto

Naupoto in 2015

Commodore Viliame Naupoto is the Acting Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, appointed by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on August 1, 2015 to replace Commander Mosese Tikoitoga.

Previously, Naupoto served as Minister for Youth and Sports in Fiji's interim government which took power in the wake of the 2006 coup. Also a former Commander of the Fijian Navy as well as a former Fiji Director of Immigration, the first post to which he was appointed on 8 January 2007 by the Public Service Commission on the advice of Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a military coup on 5 December 2006.

Naupoto was appointed to replace Eroni Luveniyali, whom the Military suspended and later dismissed. According to a Fiji Sun report on 9 January, the appointment was made in defiance of a High Court order that Luveniyali be reinstated.

In an interview with the Fiji Sun published on 23 January 2007, Naupoto said that Fiji's immigration system was replete with loopholes that allowed illegal immigrants to enter the country easily. This fueled corruption in the country, he claimed.