Keesing's World News Archives » Breaking History  »  Asia-Pacific  »  Fiji: Military coup (pub. Dec. 13, 2006)

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A protracted dispute in Fiji between the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commodore Frank (J.V.) Bainimarama culminated on Dec. 5, 2006, in a bloodless military coup and the dissolution of the country’s bicameral legislature. Bainimarama immediately announced that he had assumed the role of head of state, thereby deposing President Ratu Josefa Iloilo , whilst Qarase was detained under house arrest and replaced on an "interim" basis by Jona Senilagakali Baravilala, a former military doctor.

Immediate context

Bainimarama was an outspoken critic of the government, often describing it as racist and corrupt, and had strongly condemned a government-sponsored bill proposing amnesties for the imprisoned leaders of a May 2000 armed coup. Shortly after the May 2000 coup, which was led by George Speight , Bainimarama himself appointed Qarase to head a caretaker civilian Cabinet to replace the deposed Mahendra Chaudhry , who had been elected in May 1999 as Fiji's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister. Speight, who claimed that he had wanted to reclaim Fiji for its indigenous Melanesian people by dissolving the 1997 constitution, which had restored political rights to ethnically Indian Fijians, was in February 2002 sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. The ruling United Fiji Party (SDL--Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewwnivanua), which had been headed by Qarase since its formation in May 2001, first won legislative elections in September 2001 and then narrowly won a second term in office during elections in May 2006 .

Reaction and outlook

Bainimarama said on Dec. 5 that presidential powers would be resumed within one week by Iloilo, who would then appoint an interim government pending the holding of fresh elections at a later, albeit unspecified, date. Qarase on Dec. 6 condemned the coup as "illegal". Fiji’s influential indigenous Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), the highest traditional structure of authority within the native Melanesian community, also condemned the coup and was due to convene in Suva, the capital, on Dec. 20-21. Bainimarama on Dec. 14 warned that the military could rule Fiji for "up to 50 years" if the GCC blocked his plans to appoint a military-dominated Cabinet. The coup was condemned by many Western governments, including those in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA, whilst the Commonwealth Ministers Action Group (CMAG) responded on Dec. 8 by suspending Fiji from the 54-member organisation.

Historical context

Fiji was a former colony of the UK, which had ruled the islands for 96 years after the archipelago was ceded to Queen Victoria. Fiji held its first general election in April 1963 and gained independence in October 1970, after the UK Parliament approved the Fiji Independence Bill . After independence Fijian politics was dominated by the (Melanesian) Alliance Party until it was defeated in elections in April 1987, when Timoci Bavadra was elected Prime Minister. Bavadra’s government, the first to be dominated by Indian Fijians, was removed from power in a military coup led by Lt.-Col. Sitiveni Rabuka on May 14. After months of failed negotiations to amend Fiji’s constitution to increase the political representation of the native Melanesian community, Rabuka staged a second coup on Sept. 25 to "preserve the ideals of the May coup". Civilian rule was restored on Dec. 5 when Rabuka formally relinquished power after appointing former Fijian governor-general Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau as President. In July 1990 Ganilau replaced Fiji’s 1970 constitution to ensure that political power remained in the hands of the country's ethnic Melanesian population. Discontent with the racist nature of this document led to its eventual reform in July 1997 , when Fiji’s Indian population was granted increased representation in the legislature and when the election of a non-Melanesian Fijian as Prime Minister was permitted. The first elections held under the new constitution in May 1999 resulted in the election of Chaudhry, whose government was subsequently overthrown. Indigenous Melanesians accounted for about 51 per cent of the population whilst ethnic-Indians constituted some 44 per cent.

Timeline links:

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• May 2006 Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase’s ruling United Fiji Party (SDL--Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewwnivanua) wins a narrow victory in elections to the lower house of the bicameral legislature.
• March 2006 The influential indigenous Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) votes to reappoint President Ratu Josefa Iloilo for a further five-year term.
• February 2006 Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commodore Frank (J.V.) Bainimarama announces that he will prevent the government's controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity (RTU) bill from becoming law.
• January 2006 Bainimarama announces that he no longer recognises the authority of Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola, rejects allegations that he is destabilising the country and preparing for an armed coup, and dismisses acting land forces commander Lt-Col Jone Baledrokadroka.
• October 2005 The High Court rules against a government surcharge imposed on Bainimarama after an overspend in the armed forces' budget and orders the finance ministry to pay court costs.
• August 2005 The High Court acquits Transport Minister Simioni Kaitani and three associates of charges that they took illegal oaths in the rebel government formed by George Speight during his May 2000 armed coup, whilst Antonio Tanaburenisau is sentenced to two years in prison (suspended for two years) for his role in the coup.
• June 2005 Bainimarama accuses the government of wishing to remove outgoing Australian deputy director of public prosecutions (DPP) Peter Ridgway as part of its drive to enact its Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity bill.
• April 2005 Four traditional chiefs, including Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, are convicted of unlawful assembly at the Sukanaivalu barracks in July 2000 during the armed coup led by Speight.
• November 2004 Vice President Ratu Jope Seniloli is released from prison; Naitasiri paramount chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata is convicted on three counts of inciting an army mutiny and sentenced him to life imprisonment; a court martial sentences 29 soldiers for taking part in the May 2000 coup.
• September 2004 Senator Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau names several legislators and members of the government who she says had been involved in the coup in May 2000.
• August 2004 The High Court convicts Seniloli of involvement in the May 2000 coup; a court martial sentences 21 soldiers found guilty of involvement in a mutiny against Bainimarama to between three and six years in prison.
• May 2004 Qarase confirms that an independent inquiry is to be held into allegations that Bainimarama had plotted to overthrow the government.
• February 2004 Three prominent figures in the May 2000 coup are released from prison.
• May 2003 A Magistrates Court charges five men, including Seniloli, with offences relating to the May 2000 coup.
• April 2003 Bainimarama intervenes in an ongoing constitutional dispute originating from the August-September 2001 general election.
• December 2002 Viliame Savu is sentenced to two years in prison for failing to pass on to the authorities his foreknowledge of the May 2000 coup.
• February 2002 Speight is convicted for leading the May 2000 coup which ousted the government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
• January 2002 Three men are charged with conspiring to abduct Qarase, Bainimarama, Attorney General Qoroniasi Bale, and other members of the government.
• October 2001 Australia lifts the military and sporting sanctions that it had imposed in July 2000 after the armed coup which had ousted the government of Chaudhry.
• September 2001 The United Fiji Party (SDL) wins legislative elections.
• April 2001 Former President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara claims that former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Police Commissioner Isikia Savua had foreknowledge of the May 2000 coup.
• December 2000 It is reported that the identities of 114 witnesses for the prosecution in the treason case against Speight must be disclosed.
• November 2000 Bainimarama narrowly escapes capture when soldiers stage a mutiny.
• August 2000 Speight is charged with treason and conspiracy to commit treason with armed force.
• July 2000 Hostages held captive by Speight's indigenous Fijian rebels are released; Ratu Josefa Iloilo is appointed President; Speight is arrested.
• June 2000 Fiji is partially suspended from the 54-member Commonwealth for the abrogation of the 1997 constitution and the imposition of martial law.
• May 2000 Chaudhry’s government is overthrown by a group of armed men led by Speight.
• April 2000 Col Ratu George Kadavulevu, commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, issues a statement pledging his loyalty to the government.
• May 1999 A coalition of parties, including the ethnic Indian-dominated Fiji Labour Party (FLP), win legislative elections, meaning that Mahendra Chaudhry becomes Fiji's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister.
• July 1997 President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara signs the Constitution Amendment Bill to dismantle much of the institutionalised racism contained within the 1990 constitution.
• June 1992 Maj.-Gen. Sitiveni Rabuka is appointed Prime Minister.
• May 1992 Fiji holds its first general election since the two military coups of 1987.
• July 1990 President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau promulgates a new constitution designed to ensure that political power remains in the hands of the country's ethnic Melanesian population and guarantee immunity from prosecution for Maj.-Gen. Sitiveni Rabuka.
• December 1987 Civilian rule in nominally restored with the appointment Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau as President.
• October 1987 Brig. Sitiveni Rabuka formally announces the declaration of Fiji as a republic.
• September 1987 Brig. Sitiveni Rabuka uses military force to overthrow the government for the second time within five months.
• May 1987 The government is removed from power by a military coup led by Lt. -Col. Sitiveni Rabuka.
• October 1970 Fiji becomes independent, and the 30th member of the Commonwealth, after 96 years of UK rule.
• April/May 1970 A constitutional conference attended by members of the UK Government and Fijian political leaders concludes with an agreement for Fiji to gain independence from the UK.
• April 1963 Fiji holds its first general election.