Fiji 1987 coup. This changed Fiji forever and as we .
Fiji 1987 coup. Many of Wilding’s associates, such as John Warburton, have subsequently been linked to organised crime. Bainimarama in the last one. There was a firm belief that channelling money into Fijian hands as seed capital would automatically translate into overnight success. My aim is to show that, while ethnic conflicts between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians of South Asian descent feature prominently in the rhetoric Fiji, [a] also known as the Dominion of Fiji, was an independent state from 1970 to 1987, a Commonwealth realm [3][4][5] in which the British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state as Queen of Fiji, represented by the Governor-General. , 1987), pp. In response, New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange directed the armed forces to send a team of Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers to Fiji. The Fijian coups d'état of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic. This was followed by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara 's attempt to assert executive authority on 27 May. 16, 2022. Mr. Dec 5, 2006 · Fiji’s Military commander Frank Bainimarama told the country today that he had dismissed the prime minister and taken control of the country. When pushed by the press to reveal the identities of the murky figures behind the 1987 coup, Rabuka warned the press Mar 28, 2017 · Prior to the 1987 coup that removed the multi-ethnic Labour Party from government, ethnic Indians accounted for around 50 percent of Fiji’s population. TwoMilitary Coups in Fiji byAnthony B. “I admit our wrongdoings, you have […] May 14, 2025 · The events of May 14, 1987, when then Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka stormed Parliament and took over the country, were not only challenging for most communities across Fiji, they also forced many who were affected to rebuild their lives in the aftermath. 9 Rabuka had been disaffected as the third ranking officer in RFMF. The coup d’état and the Fiji Human Rights Commission This section is based principally on the Fiji Times, May-December 1987 (the newspaper was shut down twice, for six days following the first Coup, and for about a month following the second). It was these fractures that Mohammed Rafik Kahan exploited to get his deadly cargo on site. This book explores the factors behind - and the implications of - the 2006 coup. Dec 19, 2022 · The closest rival, the People’s Alliance Party (PAP), led by 1987 coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka, won 35. The coup that took place in December 2006 had its roots in the previous 2000 coup and mutiny. 12 (Dec. May 3, 2011 · Abstract Since 1987 there have been six coups altogether in Fiji. Dec 24, 2022 · Sitiveni Ravuka, also known as Rambo, has been confirmed as Fiji's newest Prime Minister, his second time in office. He Harish Sharma discusses impact of the 1987 coups #fiji #fyp fijivillage 67. Guests are advised to remain calm and not leave the hotel compound. The rule of law and judicial independence amidst the coups and attempted coups in Fiji since 1987 18. As Rabuka navigates the complexities of leadership, he Jan 31, 2025 · The Commission, led by the chairperson Dr Marcus Brand, is expected to facilitate truth-telling regarding the political upheavals that were started by Rabuka in 1987, as well as George Speight's 2000 putsch and Frank Bainimarama's 2006 military coup. Five Australian warships The 1987 Fiji coups involved two military coups led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. If not May 14, 1987 · In Fiji, a military coup in 1987 led to the ousting of the recently elected government, marking a significant turning point in the nation’s political landscape. Feb 8, 2025 · On September 28, 1987, Fiji’s second coup by Mr Rabuka, alias Rambo at the time, rejected the late Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State of Fiji. 82%, followed by the National Federation Party (NFP) on 8. On 19 May 1987 Rabuka spoke to some seven thousand soldiers, reminding them that he could face death for the military take-over and that he carried out the coup to prevent possible bloody confrontation between the Bavadra government and the indigenous Fi-jian community. May 21, 1987 · A version of this article appears in print on May 21, 1987, Section A, Page 6 of the National edition with the headline: Scores of Indians Are Injured as Riots Sweep Fiji. The Fiji Times has always covered about the May 14, 1987 coups in various perspectives, showing the good and the bad reflecting the views of those who supported the stated reasons behind the military takeover and that of those of […] May 30, 2000 · Lawson was in Fiji during the 1987 coup, when an indigenous Fijian prime minister was successfully deposed. It was the culmination of a political crisis that had begun the previous year when the Qarase government introduced three bills to the Fijian Parliament. Sitiveni Rabuka, third ranking colonel along with soldiers from the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in gas masks hijacked and incarcerated the then elected Fiji Government of Timoci Bavadra — the Fiji Labour Party and the National Federation Party coalition government. 304, 1987) Mara nd the Alliance party had governed Fiji s nce The general line of argument employed byBavadra was independence in 1970, and after theMay 1987 coup hereturned to that he while respected andupheld thetraditional system Fijian power, at first athe minister oforeign affairs ndlater the prime as and the status ofchiefs that within system the December events turned Fiji politics upside down. Aug 3, 2024 · On 23 September 2023, Parliament passed a motion moved by National Federation Party MP Sashi Kiran for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with 28 votes "for" from the Government side, and very tellingly, 23 votes "against" from the Opposition members who were elected under the FijiFirst party led by Voreqe Bainimarama. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper The consequences of the coup for the Fiji labour movement 13. Explores some of the other issues behind the coups including class conflict, tribal and traditional loyalties, the influence of the Taukei Movement, and the military. This changed Fiji forever and as we The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a restorative justice body established in Fiji to inquire into human rights violations during the period of political disturbance following the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, including the subsequent 2000 and 2006 coups d'état and the Bainimarama military regime. In response to the coup, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) began preparations to evacuate Australian citizens from Fiji. In his apology, Rabuka expressed his regret for SUVA, FIJI, MAY 21 -- Two days after his military coup collapsed, Lt. In April 1970 The 2000 Fijian coup d'état was a civilian coup d'état by an armed group of indigenous Fijian nationalists supported by the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, against the elected government of Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000. In 1987, following a series of coups d'état, the military government that had taken power declared it a republic. Fiji experienced two coups in 1987 causing the economy to go into free-fall with output declining 6 per cent. May 17, 2016 · Democracy And The Gun (2006): Officials in Fiji are fearful of a second nationalist coup to oust elected President Mahedra Chaudhry. Jul 11, 2022 · A Government of national unity could have helped avoid the 1987 coup, says leader of The People’s Alliance Sitiveni Rabuka. Sitiveni Rabuka regained power today as head of an interim government of this South Pacific island nation, easing an List of wars involving Fiji A number of wars occurred throughout Fijian history, from the Fijian tribes (pre 1871) to the Kingdom of Fiji (1871–1874), Colony of Fiji (1874–1970), Dominion of Fiji (1970–1987), and the Republic of Fiji (1987–present). A month after the Includes research into CIA involvement in the Fijian coup and the Phillipine rebellion of 1987, as well as the intelligence agency's links with tra Dec 5, 2006 · Coup - December 5, 2006 A number of motivations lay behind Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Bainimarama's coup, some seemingly noble, some not. What Subscribed 27 3. This analysis found that the way in which the coups were represented reflected the May 14, 2017 · TODAY marks the 30th anniversary of Fiji’s first coup, which was led by Sitiveni Rabuka. The Fiji coup six months on: The role of the media 14. Set-up of Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti sitting down for news briefing2. It came not too long after Pope John […] May 25, 2021 · The 1987 coup is blamed for Fiji’s “coup culture”, with subsequent upheavals in September 1987, May 2000 and December 2006. Brij Lal (1988, 1992) saw the defeat of the Alliance Party that ruled Fiji from 1970 to 1987 as the principal cause of the coup. Dec 8, 2006 · In similar circumstances to the coup in 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led armed soldiers into parliament on 14 May 1987. Singh, 2010). When the May 14, 2018 · Fiji coup 1987 -kvt -Published on Aug 11, 2017Zechariah Katonivualiku and 1. In 1987, the RFMF was a largely foreign peace keeping-focused entity. . Dec 14, 2022 · How we got a photo scoop during the 1987 Fiji Coup Blog update: General elections were held in Fiji on 14 December 2022 to elect the 55 members of the Fijian Parliament. May 14, 2023 · Suva [Fiji], May 15 (ANI): Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Sunday apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for the coup of 1987. On the morning of 14 May 1987 the Military of Fiji took control of the country in a bloodless coup d'état. The Qoliqoli, Land Tribunal, and Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Jan 30, 2025 · Fiji might get to know who the shadowy figures behind the 1987 coup were. Oct 7, 1987 · A version of this article appears in print on Oct. On Friday May 15, 1987 this newspaper published an article titled “Army seizes power coup”. At the time of the coup in 1987 the composition of the Royal Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) was 98 per cent Fijian. Mr Rabuka said this at the commissioning ceremony of the Research Vessel Yau Dikevi at the Novotel Hotel Convention Centre in Lami this morning. Jul 23, 2015 · (5 Nov 2006) 1. This has been highlighted by Adi Tulia Nacola, an author, filmmaker, and daughter of former Sep 17, 2014 · Fiji’s first coup in 1987 saw an elected, Indian-dominated coalition overthrown by indigenous Fijians, leading to the implementation, and later withdrawal, of a constitution that guaranteed 3 days ago · Fiji - Melanesian, Colonialism, Independence: When Fiji’s first settlers arrived from the islands of Melanesia at least 3,500 years ago, they carried with them a wide range of food plants, the pig, and a style of pottery known as Lapita ware. An unbiased observer would have to conclude, though, that Fiji's situation was not so wrenching as to require illegally removing the Qarase Government. Nov 16, 2018 · A repentant Sitiveni Rabuka, the Fiji military strongman who sparked off the country’s “coup culture” in 1987, admits he was “coerced” by the defeated Alliance party into carrying out the nation’s first coup. These indicated important aspects of the way the coups were represented: the way Fiji was represented, the way Australia’s responses were represented, and the way the coup leaders were represented. It brings together contributions from leading scholars, local personalities, civil society activists, union leaders, journalists, lawyers, soldiers and politicians – including deposed Prime Ministers Laisenia Qarase and Mahendra Chaudhry. he was jailed with 10 others for leading an attempted take-over of Fiji's government in Sep 26, 1987 · SUVA, Fiji — Col. The impression given is that the National Federation party/Labour coalition government, elected less than six weeks earlier, was a government dominated by the In this article I discuss Fiji's political instability, using the military coup of December 2006 and the discourse surrounding it as a starting point. Five days after a military coup collapsed, ethnic May 26, 2023 · Date: 1987 From: [Ephemera of quarto size relating to Fiji, its history, politics and tourist industry. Despite receiving just under 50% of the vote, the Alliance Party of longtime prime minister, Kamisese Mara was defeated by a coalition of the Fiji Labour Party (contesting a general election for the first time) and National Federation Party, which won 28 Ahead of the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has apologised for his role in 1987 coup i In 1991 Major General Sitiveni Rabuka, the officer who led the 1987 coups, resigned as commander of the Fiji Military Forces (FMF) and entered the free and fair May 1992 elections (in which nearly 80 percent of Fiji's registered voters--both ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians--participated). The PRCS called for an independent investigation after the video Jan 30, 2025 · Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that he will voluntarily appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the leader of the 1987 coup Sitiveni Rabuka was one of four panellists at a discussion on 15 May 2013 organised by the University of the South Pacific's School of Government, Developmen Jun 15, 2025 · Stuff Nov 28, 2020 · The incidents came in the aftermath of Fiji's 1987 military coup, which saw Major General Sitiveni Rabuka take control of the government, a move he declared was aimed at stopping the Indo-Fijian Dec 20, 2022 · 2 of 4 | Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the first coup back in 1987 and later served as an elected prime minister in the 1990s, shows a photograph of alleged voting irregularities after Fijian election provisional results were released in Suva, Fiji, Friday, Dec. The Commonwealth suspended Fiji after a military coup in 1987 overthrew the country’s first democratically elected government, led by an ethnic Indian. September 25, 1987: What happened on that day? Here's what happened on September 25, 1987: Fiji Coup d'État Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led a military coup in Fiji, overthrowing Governor-General Penaia Ganilau. May 14, 2021 · At 10am, May 14th, 1987, the first coup was staged in Fiji led by the third-ranked military officer in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Sitiveni Rabuka. On April 12 the new government was sworn into office - only to be ousted a month later, on Sep 11, 2017 · When development failed to satisfy Fijian expectations and constitutional paramountcy tempered by multiracialism failed the privileged elite, Fiji’s coup season began with Rabuka’s 1987 attempts to mandate absolute Fijian dominance. [8] The Supreme Court of Fiji ruled the coup unconstitutional and Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, with the public support of the Queen, [9] unsuccessfully attempted to assert executive power. " A few short months later, in May, 1987, Fiji had its first military coup, and a second one followed in September of the same year. These coups, in which the military overthrew the government, caused profound economic, personal and political insecurity, particularly for Indo-Fijians, and prompted massive emigration to Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The Two Coups of 1987 See main article: Fiji coups of 1987 In April 1987, a coalition led by Dr Timoci Bavadra, an ethnic Fijian who was nevertheless supported mostly by the Indo-Fijian community, won the general election and formed Fiji's first majority Indian government, with Dr Bavadra serving as prime minister. 1987 Coup - 14 May In early August, Rabuka, while endorsing the Chiefs' plan, warned that Fijian rights had to be guarded and written into the new constitution to make the Fijians secure. In a 2006 coup, Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power. Mar 18, 2025 · This research paper argues that in the course of Fiji's history, a total of six coups occurred instead of the conventional accepted number of four. May 15, 2017 · However, he said he did not start the “coup culture” in Fiji. This was the second significant political upheaval in Fiji that year, marking a tumultuous period in the country's political Nov 2, 2024 · Speaking at the service, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka apologized to the 8 families, saying that he is the one to be blamed as he started the coup culture on May 14th 1987 when he didn't follow Dec 31, 2021 · The Fiji military, which had spearheaded the ethno-nationalist coup in 1987, was now responsible for a coup that would – it was claimed – forever eradicate the politics of race. He said the arms and ammunition were brought […] Nov 10, 2024 · The 1987 coup in Fiji was a pivotal moment that reshaped the nation’s landscape, triggering both painful losses and unexpected opportunities. State control and self-censorship in the media after the coup 17. The response to Rabuka’s regime both within Fiji and overseas provides a useful test of the theory and practice of nonviolent action. Aug 20, 2024 · The coup in 1987 was the darkest day Fiji had ever seen. It was now obvious who were true friends and who were mere opportunists. org May 15, 2025 · Current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Lieutenant-Colonel, led the first coup in 1987. From Fiji Jan 11, 2021 · Fiji soldiers patrol the streets of Suva after the 1987 coup. Jul 15, 2023 · When the first military coup was staged by Colonel Rabuka in May 1987, the regional political climate was more than usually tense following wide, if unsatisfactorily substantiated, allegations about Libyan involvement in Vanuatu. the December events turned Fiji politics upside down. Sitiveni Rabuka was then a lieutenant-colonel and ranked third-in-command in the Royal — now Republican — Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) on 14 May 1987 and he staged a second coup in September 1987. Timeline of important dates and major events in the history of Fiji. There were no reported flight cancellations (12 Jun 2000) English/NatXFAFiji's rebel leader is shaken, but unharmed, after the military opened fire on his car. Jul 5, 2019 · The first Fiji coup of 14 May 1987 sought to reinstall a feudal aristocracy which had been severely threatened by a narrow defeat in the elections of the previous month. The 2006 Military Takeover in Fiji: A Coup to End All This 30,000-word paper surveys the academic literature on the 1987 Fiji coup. The original version, now out of print, was published in 1992 as no. May 18, 2023 · Fiji's PM, Sitiveni Rabuka, has apologised for leading the 1987 coup overthrowing then PM Timoci Bavadra, the first Indo-Fijian leader. -Col. In April 1970, a constitutional conference in London agreed that Fiji should become a fully sovereign and independent nation within the Commonwealth. The two local dailies, Fiji Times and Fiji Sun, were shut down by the mili tary for a week after the first coup, but from then until the second coup, on 25 September 1987, they provided exten sive coverage of events in Fiji and thus contain a mine of information. The 1987 events (with their racial overtones) in the island-nation of Fiji, once the model state of regional stability, was the first coup ever in the South Pacific. Col. Picture: FILE Sitiveni Rabuka during the coup of 1987. 24) says that the “coup of May 1987 upheld the aristocrats’ desire to maintain their political control over an indigenous economy defined in terms of ownership which is communal or ethnic, rather than capitalist or social democratic”. The now leader of The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) made this claim in an online interview with a former Fijian radio broadcaster. An international group that monitored Fiji’s general election this week say they didn’t observe any voting irregularities Review: Rebuka of Fiji: Coups, Constitutions and Confusion: Review and Reflections Reviewed Works: Rabuka: No Other Way. The last time an amnesty for George Speight was proposed nearly two decades ago, it helped set in motion Aug 27, 2012 · Fiji has had two new constitutions since the 1987 coup, a 1990 version written by the group that led the military coup, and a 1997 constitution featuring a preferential voting system designed to produce a democratic and bi-national state. France v Fiji 1987 / Coupe du monde de Rugby Jul 3, 2025 · Rabuka says the reflection on the hurt he caused in 1987, has shaped him into the leader he is todayThe change from the coup leader to the leader I’m now, I would not be the leader I’m today Aug 4, 2025 · This helped both the procurement and shipment of weapons from there. Jul 6, 2025 · We said there were various factors at play and that Fiji was fractured by the May 1987 coup. This situation changed following the country’s fourth coup in December 2006, staged by military commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who Jul 14, 2024 · The Spencer Dynasty is widely associated with mining, including Emperor Mining Fiji, who survey vessel Babale, smuggled the UZI used in the 1987 Fiji coup. He argued that the Alliance Party led by indigenous chiefs did not want to relinquish power to an indigenous Fijian commoner or to the trade union members of the Fiji Labour Party. This article uses the term ‘coup’ in its Oxford English Dictionary sense of an ‘illegal overthrow of government’. Bainimarama’s 2006 coup demolished those political axioms in several ways. His reflections reveal a transformative journey from coup leader to advocate for democracy and reconciliation, emphasizing the pain of history and the importance of unity. Jan 4, 2018 · 1987 May - Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka seizes power in bloodless coup with the aim of making indigenous Fijians politically dominant. of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, 1992), by Stephanie Lawson and Australian National University. Fiji’s long formed name changed from the Dominion of Fiji to the Republic of Fiji. Photo: AFP or licensors Malani and Ralogaivau accused Sayed-Khaiyum of being part of an Indo-Fijian group known as the Fiji Freedom Fighters, and said they were targeted because their father, parliamentarian Ratu Filimone Ralogaivau, had switched sides to join Rabuka's military Jun 18, 2012 · During the 1987 Fijian coup, an Air New Zealand plane was hijacked at Nadi airport. 2, No. This video gives a visual account of the events of may 14th, 1987, using relevant footage mainly taken on that day. Sanjay Ramesh The coups of 1987 have become a bitter memory for the people of Fiji, but unanswered questions still linger about the whole incident. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in a press conference today, placed on record he will be the first to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission when the hearings begin – and do a tell all. 37-58 May 14, 2013 · The Bainimarama Revolution is easily the most important point in Fiji’s history since 1987, with its promise of finally breaking the nation’s coup culture by dissolving race as the defining factor in national life. neither is fully accepted as settling the matter. The coups in Fiji, which took place in 1987 and 2000, had a profound impact on the region. That pottery is generally associated with peoples who had well-developed skills in navigation and canoe building and were horticulturists. 89% and the Social Democratic Military troops are keeping the peace in Fiji after the worst violence in 17 years of independence. After months of hectic campaigning, the newly formed National Federation - Fiji Labor Party Coalition won over the long-reigning Alliance Party by capturing 28 of the 52 eats in the national Parliament. The Party’s inaugural meeting was held at the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) hall Jun 23, 2025 · Anthony van Fossen (1987, p. The coups in Fiji have to be seen in the light of the two separate but related developments, namely the Dec 20, 2024 · Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the 1987 coup, has revealed that the arms and ammunition used in the coup came from Singapore. I have argued elsewhere that demographic limitations make any higher rates impossible, and that the rate of endogamy is a func tion of the size Economic Competition between Indians and Fijians Jul 3, 2025 · Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka opens up about his controversial past as the leader of the 1987 military coup, contending that it was a necessary act for Fiji's future. This situation provided an opportunity for some individuals to learn property management and ownership responsibilities, promoting long-term socio-economic growth. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti, Fiji's land forc It was widely reported that the May 14 military coup in Fiji had one basic cause—ethnic rivalries between Melanesian Fijians and Indo-Fijians. 5 Lessons from the Fiji coups On 14 May 1987, the Fiji government was ousted by a military coup led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. The initial exodus was sudden, and migrants were forced to leave behind family, friends, homes Fijian coup leader George Speight may be released on a presidential pardon as early as a month from now. chief-led Alliance Party of Fiji in the April 1987 general elections. It brings together contributions from leading scholars, local personalities, ci Dec 9, 2015 · The 2006 suspension was not the first for Fiji, after a ten year suspension began in October 1987 following two coups d’etat and another 6 month partial suspension by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in 2000. [5] He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. Following the coup, he started a diplomatic career and was High Commissioner to the UK and Fiji’s Ambassador to Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Israel and the Holy See. The morning session of Fiji’s House of Representatives had, until then May 16, 2023 · On May 14, an emotional Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka apologised to Fijians of Indian origin for the military coup of 1987. Parliamentary elections were held in March 1977, and the National Federation Party (NFP) won a majority of the seats in the House of Representative. Using a model of the Fiji economy, the economic impacts of the 2000 coup are assessed using some of the impacts in 1987 as a benchmark for what will happen this time around. Strategically located, easily the most economically developed of the South Pacific Islands, home to the most important institutions of regional cooperation, Fiji is also prone to self-inflicted wounds with crippling consequences. His Own Story by Eddie Dean, Stan Ritova; Rabuka of Fiji: The Authorised Biography of Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka John Sharpham Review by: Brij V. Nov 6, 2024 · Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he was the one that started the coup culture in the country after leading some soldiers during the May 14th 1987 coup, and has also apologised for his actions The Fiji coups significantly destabilised the South Pacific region, causing political, economic, and social upheaval. May 14, 2023 · Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has today apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for the coup of 1987. Apr 1, 2003 · The Fiji Islands in the Southwest Pacific are bit like Winston Churchill's Russia: a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. 9 in the Regime Change and Regime Maintenance in Asia and the Pacific series by the Department of Political & Social Change, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra. 2K others The 1987 coup was an outward eruption of the undercurrent of ethno-political fissures that have characterized ethnic politics in Fiji since the colonial days and that were allowed to take a more volatile trajectory after independence through institutionalized ethnic compartmentalization. Oppos ing factions talked to-or rather at each other through the print media, especially in the open columns, which provide Sep 2, 2024 · The 1970 Constitution was subsequently abrogated and after the Deuba Accord was rejected by NFP-FLP faction, the second coup was carried out on September 25, 1987. Rabuka made the confession at the Reconciliation Service between the Methodist Church and the Girmitiyas in Suva held at the Vodafone Arena and has asked for forgiveness. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has today apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for the coup of 1987. The Taukei Movement the army established its grip on the nation. 206-211 The second important point of support for that coup had to come from the Fiji military. Dec 31, 2009 · In 1987, the unexpected nature of the coup meant there was a struggle to re-define how Fiji should be understood. In this sense, Fiji has had only three coups. This analysis found that the way in which the coups were represented reflected the Discourse 14Operation Fiji, a covert undertaking by India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in response to a 1987 coup in Fiji led by Colonel Sitiveni Rabuk May 29, 2021 · Bananas, balaclavas and banners … these were stock-in-trade for human rights activists of the New Zealand-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji who campaigned against then Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka’s original two coups in 1987 and the “banana republic” coup culture that emerged. Illustrated list of events and people from our today in history archives. History of the Fiji Labour Party – a constant struggle for rights and justice – Chronological history July 6, 1985 The Fiji Labour Party was launched under the aegis of the Fiji Trades Union Congress in response to the Alliance Party’s growing insensitivity towards the plight of workers and the poor. in the last two decades, the democratic result has determined the formation of governments on three occasions (1992, 1994 and 2001) but it has not done so, or done so for only a short time, on another three The 1987 Coups In 1987, the multi-ethnic Alliance Party, which had ruled Fiji under the leadership of Ratu Sir Kamises Mara since 1970, lost to a Labor Party coalition. Sitiveni Rabuka, a native Fijian and head of the armed forces, said Friday he staged his second military coup in this South Pacific island nation to block a political comeback (5 Jul 2000) English/Nat XFA Fiji's military has stepped up the pressure on rebels holding 27 hostages in Parliament, by declaring an exclusive military zone around the compound. This article examines some issues relating to the prevalence of the coup culture in Fiji and, views them in the light of media coverage. 1987 Coup - Apr The 1987 events (with their racial overtones) in the island-nation of Fiji, once the model state of regional stability, was the first coup ever in the South Pacific. The 77-year-old prime minister was a colonel in the Fijian armed forces when he led the first coup in 1987, which toppled an Indo-Fijian government and replaced it with an indigenous regime. 76, No. READ MORE: Second coup in 1987 – Fiji coup leader declares republic And quite likely, the “coup culture”, as it is commonly referred to, will continue to plague Fiji’s future. An unbiased observer would have to Nov 6, 2021 · Is Fiji genuinely between, as the saying goes, “a rock and a hard place”? I suggest that today’s young voters, who have only known 14 years of the governance by the Bainimarama Government, need to think also about how Mr Rabuka governed Fiji after his 1987 coup. A thematic analysis of the same articles identified and examined the three most prevalent themes in the coverage. Observes that the May 1987 coup in Fiji is seen by most as a response to racial tension between indigenous Fijians and the Indian population of Fiji. Operation Morris Dance was an Australian military operation conducted in May 1987 in response to the first of the 1987 Fijian coups d'état. But despite favouring a “strong leader”, Fijians are committed to democracy. May 16, 2017 · The leader of Fiji's first two military coups Sitiveni Rabuka has again apologised for his actions - 30 years after seizing power. Many of the Feb 26, 2025 · The candid interview focuses on Nacola, coming from a chiefly family and being a daughter of a Minister who was ousted in the 1987 military coup, her experiences growing up in Fiji including the May 15, 2016 · This article takes a look into the 1987 coup which according to my findings, the idea of a coup d’etat may have formed in the years after the 1977 election — following the surprise win by the National Federation Party . Did then Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, who claimed May 14, 2024 · The 1987 coup is blamed for Fiji’s “coup culture”, with subsequent upheavals in September 1987, May 2000 and December 2006. A decade later, in 1997, Fijians confirmed their acceptance of a new Constitution, heralded Nov 10, 2024 · The 1987 coup also prodded the Indo-Fijians to rethink their cross-cultural relationships at the micro level. Filed under: Fiji -- History -- Coup d'état, 1987 (September 25) Regime change as regime maintenance : the military versus democracy in Fiji (Dept. On 14 May 1987, a coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka resulted in the overthrow of the government of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, who had been appointed following the general election that year. the Director of the Fiji Human rights commission, an assortment of catholic social justice advocates, much of the business community Nov 2, 2024 · Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka today acknowledged the impact of his 1987 coup on Fiji’s history, taking responsibility for the cycle of coups and unrest that followed his actions nearly 40 years ago. [1] They marked the first electoral transition of power in Fijian history. From Timor Leste to Tonga, poverty has gone hand in hand with mounting political crises. The time proved to be a turning point and source of motivation for Deo Dutt and his wife Kanya Wati – a couple from Vuniyalayala Feb 9, 2025 · We had heard about the 1987 coup, but we were not taught what it was or even what a coup was in school. May 14, 2020 · That first military coup on 14 May 1987, backed by failed politicians and Fiji’s indigenous and business power-elite, has since been repeated over and over. Sitiveni Rabuka overthrew the coalition government of Prime Minister Dr. Litia Cava is a Fiji Times reporter. Asked about comments he made in an interview with Radio Tarana in New Zealand on whether he was sorry for what he did in 1987, Mr Rabuka said: “In my reply, I explained that the […] This article examines the reasons for a coup culture in Fiji and attempts to dig slightly deeper to try to fathom how a greater degree of analytical journalism may have been able to provide the underlying reasons for the fall of democracy in Fiji to military coups since 1987. Rabuka originally seized power in Fiji’s first coup, and Mr. Jun 20, 2023 · A possible pardon for the figurehead of Fiji’s violent 2000 coup has the potential to put the Pacific island country’s reformist government and its influential military at loggerheads. Here, we focus on the international arms environment that prevailed in the 1980s. The vehicle was damaged in Monday's incide A thematic analysis of the same articles identified and examined the three most prevalent themes in the coverage. This was highlighted by former Deputy Prime Minister, Harish Sharma when their Doctor Timoci Bavadra led 1987 government was overthrown in No description has been added to this video. Less Searching, More Finding With Getty Images. The coup, instigated by the third ranked military officer, lieutenant- colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, shook Fiji, the region and even the world. Since 1978 when troops were deployed to UNIFIL in Lebanon, the size and skills of the RFMF had expanded significantly. Jun 15, 1987 · The military takeover in peaceful Fiji by Lt-Colonel Rabuka threw out the allegedly "Indian" Bavadra government and replaced the island's democratic system with a new one that will ensure Fijian control, seemingly for all time to come. 38, No. May 16, 2021 · This year marks the 34th anniversary of Fiji’s first military coup on May 14, 1987 — an event that changed the country’s direction, destiny and destination. The article examines the reactive and transformative nature of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, hereafter referred to as Fiji military, and coups and their impact on the small multi-cultural country of 850,000 people. Feb 26, 2025 · The candid interview focuses on Nacola, coming from a chiefly family and being a daughter of a Minister who was ousted in the 1987 military coup, her experiences growing up in Fiji including the Jul 24, 2007 · In 1986, then-Pope John Paul described Fiji as "The way the world should be. Yes, many people still think Voreqe Bainimarama is on a quixotic mission that cannot possibly succeed. He was also angry that the Alliance Party had lost the general election. Timoci Bavadra whose cabinet included seven Indians and five indigenous Fijians. New Zealand politicians talk about development and democracy but the bottom line is economic control. This not only strengthened the apparent political divide between Fiji Indians and the other communities, but served also to consolidate the army as an essentially Fijian institution. Lal May 16, 2023 · Fiji PM Sorry For Barbaric Anti-India 1987 Coup, Exodus Of Indians Ahead Of PM Modi's Crucial Visit | Fiji | On May 14, an emotional Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka apologised to Fijians of Indian origin for the military coup of 1987. 7, 1987, Section A, Page 12 of the National edition with the headline: FIJI COUP LEADER DECLARES REPUBLIC. This short essay sheds further light into the fateful coup d’etats of 1987 and 2000 in Fiji by considering these from the views of an ethnic Indian, firstly as a child (1987) and then as an academic (2000). Mara would resign under duress Feb 2, 2025 · The Declaration of the Republic In the wake of the coup, Fiji's new military government was quick to dissolve the old constitution, abolishing the monarchy and establishing a republic. 1, Special Issue: As the Dust Settles: Impact and Implications of the Fiji Coups (SPRING 1990), pp. Rabuka made the confession at the Reconciliation Service held at the Vodafone Arena and has This book explores the factors behind – and the implications of – the 2006 coup. He seized power from then Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, head of a recently-elected multi-racial coalition government, with the aim of making indigenous Fijians politically dominant. This changed Fiji forever and as we A number of motivations lay behind Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Bainimarama's coup, some seemingly noble, some not. Victor Lal (1988) analysed the possibility of for-eign involvement in the Fiji coup The future of Fiji remained in the balance after Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka claimed he had sacked the Governor-General and scrapped the constitution. van Fossen ~ Thefirst Fiji coup of 14 May 1987 sought toreinstall a feudal aristocracy which had been severely threatened bya Class Conflict narrow defeat inthe elections of the previous m nth. 2001 February 19: Fiji Court of Appeal hearing commences to consider Justice Gates’s November ruling contested by the interim administration. The article reported that on May 14 the army seized power without a shot being fired. Jul 22, 2015 · Nailatikau was Commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces at the time of Sitiveni Rabuka’s 1987 coup. The coup in Fiji is the latest sign of serious instability in the Pacific. Some commentators talk of further ‘coups’, including September 1987's military derailment of talks aimed at settling frictions sparked by the May 1987 coup. The country was shaken by two coups in 1987, the mutiny at Queen Elisabeth Barracks in Suva as well as the coup of 2000, prior to the latest coup of December 2006. For similar stories, see: Suva [Fiji], May 15 (ANI): Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Sunday apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for the coup of 1987. 1, Special Number on Indians Abroad (March 1989), pp. Oct 3, 2018 · A repentant Sitiveni Rabuka, the Fiji military strongman who sparked off the country’s “coup culture” in 1987, admits he was “coerced” by the defeated Alliance party into carrying out the first coup. Rabuka made the confession at the Reconciliation Service Feb 1, 2007 · Comment This is the fourth coup that Fiji has experienced in the past 20 years, after two military takeovers in quick succession in 1987 and one civilian-led coup in 2000. Rabuka made the confession at the Reconciliation Servic Apr 15, 2008 · Published in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs (Vol. Before the coup, speculation in Fiji was a militant indigenous nationalist movement formed after the defeat of the was rife regarding the involvement of foreign powers in Fiji’s political affairs. Speaking at the commissioning of a new research vessel for the Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry on Friday, Rabuka Oct 12, 2019 · Mr Rabuka declares Fiji a Republic on October 7, 1987, and as a result, Fiji is excluded from the Commonwealth. Definitional debates about what constitutes a ‘coup’ are The Fiji coups of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic. Nov 10, 2024 · The 1987 coup also shifted the property ownership dynamics in Fiji, as many assets were acquired by ethnic Fijians at lower prices. But there are some important differences. Under the guise of parliamentary democracy and ethnic balance, the constitution helped to legitimize Bainimarama’s 2006 coup demolished those political axioms in several ways. In Fiji in 1987, after the second coup led by Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, the Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, resigned after failing to persuade the army to return to barracks. consequences of the 1987 military coups d'etat in Fiji (Knapman 1988a). Fiji is using the Army to enforce democracy Has Fiji finished with its culture of coups? Articles Fiji, 1987-2007: The Story of Four Coups Fiji’s 1987 coup: from trauma to cohesion Reflection from Sitiveni Rabuka on the 1987 coups Fiji - Australia Military Cooperation The RFMF and the ADF have a shared history of cooperation on UN Let me begin on a personal note. Aug 9, 2023 · First we will focus on what happened on May 14, 1987 before we go further into history. It was the island nation’s fourth coup in 20 years. The first coup, in which Bavadra was deposed, took place on 14 May 1987 a second coup on 28 Sept FIJI'S 1987 COUP 99 dogamy at 70%, 60% and 56% respec tively. Mar 2, 2025 · A big positive from the 1987 coup is the learnings from the model used to enhance Fijian participation in business. The new government was heavily supported by ethnic Indians and appointed a cabinet with a majority of Indian ministers. The first coup, in which Bavadra was deposed, took place on 14 May 1987; a second coup on 28 September ended the Fijian Monarchy, and was shortly followed by the proclamation of a republic on 7 Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka[4] CF OBE MSD (Fijian: [sitʃiˈβeni ramˈbuka]; born 13 September 1948) is a Fijian politician, sportsman, and former soldier who has been serving as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. The formal announcement of this change took place on October 7, 1987, and subsequently, Fiji's first President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, was appointed. Discover how the aftermath forged new paths for success, revitalized communities, and may hold the key to future unity in Fiji. Former Ambassador and Foreign Minister of Fiji Kaliopate Tavola was heavily involved in Fijian politics from the 1970s. May 18, 2023 · Fiji’s 1987 coup: Why did Prime Minister Rabuka apologise to the Indo-Fijian community? More than three decades ago, Sitiveni Rabuka, then the third highest ranking army official, overthrew the Indo-Fijian dominated government of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. Picture: FILE A soldier talks to the crowd after the coup of May 14, 1987. In mid-afternoon on 14 May 1987 I was hurrying along William Street in Sydney when I caught a glimpse of a newspaper billboard that I thought carried the words ‘Coup’ and ‘Fiji’. In response to the coup, the Mar 4, 2009 · The 1987 military coups Thousands fled Fiji after two coups in 1987. Its purpose is to explain what has happened against a background analysis of postindependence development, and to predict what is likely to happen. The coup was orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka and was a response to rising tensions between the indigenous Fijians and the Indo-Fijian population, which had been exacerbated by historical colonial policies and a An Analysis of the 1987 Military Coup in Fiji Andrew Scobell The May 14, 1987, military coup d'etat on the South Pacific archipelago of Fiji has been attributed to ethnic conflict, class conflict, and a conspiracy among local elites and/or foreign governments. University of the South Pacific, Fiji MOST of the colonial and post-colonial periods, Fiji’s media-related laws were ostensibly on a par with some of the world’s leading democracies, including neigh-bours Australia and New Zealand (S. Both coup leaders may have coup skeletons in their cupboards. 95-117 The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 was a coup d'état in Fiji carried out by Commodore Frank Bainimarama against Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and President Josefa Iloilo. Key coup victims of 1987 and 2000 emerged as defenders, enthusiasts and beneficiaries of the military takeover, while, overnight, the coup backers of 2000 became democrats and supporters of the rule of law. Defence leadership considered this order problematic during a coup and delayed sending the force. Frank Bainimarama became prime minister in 2007 after leading the 2006 coup d’état. There were two coups in Fiji in 1987 and an attempted […] 8 ‘Army seizes power coup’, Fiji Times, 15 May 1987. General elections were held in Fiji between 4 and 11 April 1987. Pre-Crisis Phase (October 10, 1970-May 13, 1987): Fiji achieved its independence from the United Kingdom and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (CON) on October 10, 1970. Rabuka's apology comes ahead of the India-Pacific Island summit Oct 11, 2024 · The Fiji coups of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic. The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand suspend aid to Fiji. A month after the By Litia Cava SUVA (Asia Pacific Report/The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): Social Democratic Liberal Party leader and former military coup maker Sitiveni Rabuka says the rioting and assault on some Fijians of Indian descent 30 years ago were the deliberate actions of “selfish people” and he has apologised for it. 1987 – Fijian Governor-General Penaia Ganilau is overthrown in a coup d'état led by Lieutenant colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. Disclaimer: It is just for historical pur Carolyn Henning Brown, THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF FIJI'S 1987 COUP, Sociological Bulletin, Vol. He's taken over from the former junta leader, Frank Bainimarama, who was in December 15: President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara resigns. Explore Authentic Fiji Coup Stock Photos & Images For Your Project Or Campaign. Street violence against Indo-Fijians followed, and tens of thousands fled the islands. Over 12,000 Fijians, nearly 10,000 of whom were Indian Fijians, left the country after the coup, according to a United Nations Refugee Agency report. The Fiji military, which had spearheaded the ethno-nationalist coup in 1987, was now responsible for a coup that would – it was claimed – forever eradicate the politics of race. March 1: Fiji Court of Appeal dismisses the interim administration’s appeal making the following declarations in lieu of those made in the High Fiji operated as a Crown colony until 1970, when it gained independence and became known as the Dominion of Fiji. 43, No. May 20, 2013 · 1. The coup reaffirmed the ari Ramesh Thakur, Antony Wood, Fiji in Crisis, The World Today, Vol. The coup d’état and the Fiji Human Rights Commission Feb 3, 2025 · Sitiveni Rabuka, for example, who led Fiji’s first coup of 1987, became prime minister after the 1992, 1994 and 2022 elections, and the 2006 coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama, became prime minister after the 2014 and 2018 elections. However, the roots of the problem lie not in 1987, but in another era. Three coups in 13 years, two in Dec 26, 2022 · Ultimately, Fiji’s decision to leave the Commonwealth is a reflection of the country’s desire to chart its own course, without interference from outside powers. 1980-1999] Reference: Eph-B-FIJI-1987-01 Description: Circular letter advising guest at the hotel of the military coup in Fiji on 25 September 1987, and of a curfew (8pm to 5 am). 9K views 2 years ago France v Fiji 1987 / Coupe du monde de Rugbymore May 11, 2007 · Sitiveni Rabuka started the ball rolling in 1987, when, as in most coups, roadblocks and curfews were part of the daily upheavals. As many fled seeking better futures, the consequences of this tumultuous event extended beyond immediate turmoil. Governor General Ratu Sir George Cakobau asked Ratu Sir Kamisese Mar 3, 2010 · On 7 April 1987 Fiji held its fifth general election since gaining independence from Britain in 1970. His actions not only removed the elected government but also ended Fiji's status as a monarchy, resulting in the country becoming a republic. We also highlighted that fractures in the power structure in Fiji after the May 1987 coup allowed for the weapons to pass undetected through security systems in place at Lautoka Wharf. When approached by three coup conspirators, he readily agreed to overthrow the duly elected government. May 14, 2013 · The Bainimarama Revolution is easily the most important point in Fiji’s history since 1987, with its promise of finally breaking the nation’s coup culture by dissolving race as the defining factor in national life. See full list on worldpress. Fiji has established two methods of changing government since 1987: elections and coups. Three decades after I watched Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka walking Parliamentarians Mar 1, 2025 · Next week we will look more closely at the lead-up to the 1987 coup before moving back to the guns that were interestingly recognised in Parliament in 2000 among Speight’s squad. Dec 23, 2024 · Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed how arms and ammunition used to conduct the 1987 military coup were secretly brought into Fiji on board a naval survey ship. The first coup occurred on May 14, 1987, when Rabuka and the military overthrew the government of Prime Dec 23, 2024 · Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed how arms and ammunition used to conduct the 1987 military coup were secretly brought into Fiji on board a naval survey ship. Jul 5, 2019 · Abstract The military coup that took place in Fiji on 14 May 1987 is generally seen as having been prompted largely by racial tensions in terms of a deepening conflict between “Indian” political ambitions and indigenous Fijian rule. The consequences of the coup for the Fiji labour movement 13. the Director of the Fiji Human rights commission, an assortment of catholic social justice advocates, much of the business community Dec 20, 2022 · The country experienced four coups between 1987 and 2006. The agreement calls for coup leader George Speight to release all 27 remaining hostages, including the prime minister he ousted in a takeover of Fiji's Parliament building. In 2000, Australia's increased focus on Fiji and the Pacific region was demonstrated by reports which represented the situation as more complex and uncertain, demanding more varied responses. (Photo: Reuters) Oct 31, 2012 · It has had four coups since 1987 and this notoriety relegated it to rogue state status with a ‘coup culture’, or as some academics and journalists have described it, became ‘coup coup land’. more Getting interviews from Fiji and New Zealand May 1, 2024 · By Commander David Jordan CSC RANR On 14 May 1987 the Military of Fiji took control of the country in a bloodless coup d’état. Sep 3, 1998 · One: The Coup and its Explanations Introduction At ten o’clock on the morning of Thursday 14 May 1987, after only one month in power, the democratically-elected government of Fiji was overthrown in a coup d’état conducted by the third-in-command of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. He was democratically elected as Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1992 to 1999, and again in 2022, leading a Sep 19, 2021 · A coup in 1987 led by Lt. May 25, 2022 · Shailendra Singh discusses the history of coups in Fiji and what is holding Fiji back from progressing to a more socio-politically cohesive nation. Curious but not concerned, thinking that I had either misread the notice or that it meant something other than what a literal reading would suggest, I carried on to the news May 14, 2023 · Ahead of the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has made a public apology for his role in the 1987 military coup that overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. Roderic Alley, The 1987 Military Coups in Fiji: The Regional Implications, The Contemporary Pacific, Vol. A sampling of headlines: “Military Coup in Fiji Follows Racial Unrest” (Christian Science Monitor, 5/15/87); “Coup in Fiji: Rising Tide of Nationalism” (International Herald Tribune, 5/22/87); “A Bloodless Coup Reveals Ethnic Tensions in Feb 5, 2022 · The late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the country’s first Prime Minister who led Fiji into independence in 1970 and ruled for 17 years, was alleged by Mr Rabuka to have been involved in the May 1987 military coup. It overthrew a government elected only seven months earlier with the support of 80 per cent of the indigenous Fijians. 2K subscribers Subscribe May 1, 2020 · The military coup of May 14, 1987 by Lt. zmxcuqyzon8mapee3dz04szdvavfklkh4atfe7ottiqbk2eoeiqf