'This Process of Political Readjustment': Aftermath of the Fiji 2006 Coup

Abstract

‘We consider that Fiji has reached a crossroads and that the government and all those empowered to make decisions in our constitutional democracy are unable to make these decisions to save our people from destruction,’ Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama told Fiji at 6pm on 5 December 2006. The military, which had ‘observed the concern and anguish of the deteriorating state of our beloved Fiji,’ had, therefore, ‘taken over the government as executive authority in the running of the country.’ Those fateful words brought to a close the long running saga of escalating tension and mounting war of words between Laisenia Qarase’s Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) government and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.2 The following day, President Ratu Josefa Iloilo met Commodore Bainimarama. After confused vacillation and shortly before being sidelined, the President signed a military order dissolving parliament and inaugurating a military administration. Commodore Bainimarama assumed the President’s office. A month later he was sworn in as Prime Minister when he restored Ratu Josefa as President.