Seminar Series: Abstract

The Origins of the Transition of the Fiji Military
Jone Baledrokadroka

The shift of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) from seizing power in an ethno-nationalist coup in 1987 to mounting a coup against an ethno-nationalist government in 2006 is perplexing. The key intervening event was the coup of 19th May 2000, which had a profound impact on the RFMF. Initially, coup leader George Speight and his civilian followers hoped that, by storming parliament, they would trigger support from the Fiji military. In some quarters, they did so. However, the event also sparked a transformation in the RFMF senior command, and during 2001-6 hostility grew towards the government of Laisenia Qarase, culminating in the December 2006 coup. This paper focuses on the critical events of 2000, and (i) why the RFMF senior command chose not to back George Speight, b) why they ultimately arrested and imprisoned the coup leader and c) why they came to oppose the very government they had originally put into office in July 2000. Although with hindsight, the military’s newfound role seems to entail a wholesale conversion to multi-racism as espoused by Commodore Bainimarama, in fact it had more to do with institutional survival.