The Military Coups in Fiji: Reactive and Transformative Tendencies

Abstract

Since 1987 there have been six coups altogether in Fiji. 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. The coups in Fiji have to be seen in the light of the two separate but related developments, namely the historical dynamic interplay between politics and ethnicity and secondly, how the military itself has evolved as a state institution and how it perceived its role in the modern state system. Although the military is modelled along the lines of a praetorian institution, its perceived role has often shifted from being guardian of indigenous Fijian interests to protector of the multi-ethnic state. The interventionist tendency of the military was largely in response to the way in which the interplay between politics and ethnicity had played a part in creating discord and tension. All the six coups in Fiji were linked and need to be understood in relation to each other. The 2006 coup was the most politically transformative as some of the most powerful institutions were weakened and reconfigured and a new order created under the guise of a 'clean-up campaign'.

Ethnicity, affirmative action and coups in Fiji: indigenous development policies between the 2000 and 2006 coups

“…The direct consequence was hastening of the SDL's own ultimate demise. The doctrines of paramountcy of Fijian interest and ethnic right to affirmative action were being pushed too far and came into contention with the multi-ethnic stance of the military which had gone through a major institutional and ideological transformation from being a guardian of indigenous ethno-nationalism as in the 1987 coup to gain a more independent and multi-ethnic position after the 2006 coup (Ratuva, 2011). The military regime decided that affirmative action was tantamount to ethnic discrimination and undermined inter-ethnic justice, and took upon itself the task of dismantling Qarase's affirmative action programs.…”

“…The indigenous development policies (vakatorocaketaki ni taukei) since independence did very little to mitigate possible ethnic strife which culminated in the first coup in May 1987 and followed in succession by five others (Ratuva, 2011). These expressions of ethno-political violence were seen by supporters of affirmative action as vindication of the need to increase pro-indigenous preferential policies (Fiji Government, 2001).…”

Constitutional Rights as Bribes

“…Fiyi tiene una larga historia de gobiernos militares: desde su independencia, se ha visto tres golpes militares derrocar a gobiernos democráticos. Primero ocurrió en 1987, donde el General Mayor Sitiveni Rabuka llegó al poder 172 ; luego ocurrió en el 2000, bajo el liderato del General George Speight 173 ; y la tercera oportunidad fue en el 2006, bajo el mando del Comandante Bainimarama 174 . Además, en casi todos los casos, la presión puesta sobre los líderes golpistas los ha llevado a adoptar una nueva constitución, permitiendo nuevas elecciones democráticas, y/o dando forma legal a sus gobiernos.…”

Shifting democracy: Electoral changes in Fiji

“…The last and most significant election under the 1970 Constitution's FPTP system was the April 1987 elections, which led directly to the May and September 1987 coups, following which Fiji's politics was drastically transformed through a serious of coerced regime changes (Ratuva 2011). In 1987, the Alliance Party lost power, winning only 24 seats, although they won 49.5 per cent of the total votes.…”