Modern history of Fiji

Since attaining independence from theUnited Kingdomon 10 October 1970, Fijian history has been marked by exponential economic growth up to 1987, followed by relative stagnation, caused to a large extent by political instability following twomilitary coupsin 1987 and acivilian putschin 2000. This was followed by anothermilitary coupin 2006. Rivalry betweenindigenous FijiansandIndo-Fijians,rather than ideological differences, have been the most visible cleavage of Fijian politics. Later in 2020, Fiji was hit by the globalCOVID-19pandemic, which affected the economy and the daily lives of the people.

The ethnic struggle for supremacy

Post-independence politics came to be dominated by theAlliance PartyofRatu Sir Kamisese Mara.In theelection of March 1977,the Indian-led opposition won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, but failed to form a government due to internal divisions, together with concern that indigenous Fijians would not accept Indo-Fijian leadership. (See alsoFiji Constitutional Crisis of 1977). In April 1987, a coalition led by Dr.Timoci Bavadra,an ethnic Fijian supported by the Indo-Fijian community, won the general election and formed Fiji's first majority Indian government, with Dr. Bavadra serving asPrime Minister.Less than a month later, Dr. Bavadra was forcibly removed from power during amilitary coupled by Lt. Col.Sitiveni Rabukaon 14 May 1987.

After a period of continued jockeying and negotiation, Rabuka staged a second coup on 25 September 1987. The military government revoked the constitution and declared Fiji a republic on 10 October. This action, coupled with protests by the government of India, led to Fiji's expulsion from the Commonwealth and official nonrecognition of the Rabuka regime by foreign governments, includingAustraliaandNew Zealand.On 6 December, Rabuka resigned asHead of StateandGovernor-GeneralRatu Sir Penaia Ganilauwas appointed the firstPresidentof the Fijian Republic. Mara was reappointed Prime Minister, and Rabuka became Minister of Home Affairs.

Two constitutions

The new government drafted a new constitution that went into force in July 1990. Under its terms, majorities were reserved for ethnic Fijians in both houses of the legislature. Previously, in 1989, the government had released statistical information showing that for the first time since 1946, ethnic Fijians were a majority of the population. More than 12,000Indo-Fijiansand other minorities had left the country in the two years following the 1987 coups. After resigning from the military, Rabuka became Prime Minister under the new constitution in 1993.

Ethnic tensions simmered in 1995–1996 over the renewal of Indo-Fijian land leases and political maneuvering surrounding the mandated 7-year review of the 1990 constitution. The Constitutional Review Commission produced a draft constitution which expanded the size of the legislature, lowered the proportion of seats reserved by ethnic groups, reserved the presidency for ethnic Fijians but opened the position of Prime Minister to citizens of all races. Prime Minister Rabuka and President Mara, who had succeeded to the office on Ganilau's death in late 1993, supported the proposal, while the nationalist indigenous Fijian parties opposed it. The reformedConstitutionwas approved in July 1997. Fiji was readmitted to the Commonwealth in October.

The 1999 election and the 2000 coup

Main articles:1999 Fijian general electionand2000 Fijian coup d'état

The first legislativeelectionsheld under the new constitution took place in May 1999. Rabuka's coalition was defeated by Indo-Fijian parties led byMahendra Chaudhry,who became Fiji's first Indo-Fijian prime minister. One year later, in May 2000, Chaudhry and most other members of parliament were taken hostage in theHouse of Representativesby gunmen led by ethnic Fijian nationalistGeorge Speight.The standoff dragged on for 8 weeks, during which time Chaudhry was removed from office by the then-president due to his incapacitation — before the Fijian military seized power and brokered a negotiated end to the situation, then arrested Speight when he violated its terms. In February 2002, Speight was convicted of treason and is currently serving a life sentence. Former bankerLaisenia Qarasewas named interim Prime Minister and head of the interim civilian government by the military and theGreat Council of Chiefsin July. In 2001, after a decision to restore the suspended constitution, Qarase defeated Chaudhry in a hotly contestedelection.

The Qarase era and the 2006 coup

Main article:2006 Fijian coup d'état

The 2000 coup left deep divisions in Fijian society. The Qarase government pursuedcontroversial legislationproposing to compensate victims and pardon persons convicted of involvement in the coup. The legislation was presented as a way of laying the past to rest, but further antagonized the Indo-Fijian community as well as some sections of the indigenous Fijian community, including theRepublic of Fiji Military Forces.Tensionsbetween the government and the Military kept the nation in suspense from 2004 onwards, and sawa major escalationaround the turn of 2005 and 2006. The Qarase government narrowlywon reelectionin May 2006, and subsequently formed agrand coalitionwith the rivalFiji Labour Party(FLP). The coalition government failed to placate the Military, however, and in late November it became clear that the government could not enforce its authority when the Military began openly defying its orders. The impasse culminated in acoup d'étaton 5 December.CommodoreFrank Bainimaramadeclared himself Acting President. On 4 January 2007, Bainimarama announced that he was restoring executive power to President Iloilo,who made a broadcast endorsing the actions of the military.The next day, Iloilo named Bainimarama as the interim Prime Minister,indicating that the military was still effectively in control.

The 2009 constitutional crisis and aftermath

Main article:2009 Fijian constitutional crisis

On 9 April 2009, theCourt of Appealruled that the Military-backed interim government was illegal, and ordered President Iloilo to appoint a neutral caretaker government pending general elections. Instead of following the court order, the interim government resigned, and Iloilo announced the following day in a televised broadcast that he was abrogating the1997 Constitution.He dismissed all judges and civil servants, appointed himself Head of State "of the new order", and reappointed Bainimarama as Prime Minister, who announced that elections would not be held until 2014.

Effectively, the Military remained in complete control of the country. Iloilo retired as president in July 2009 and was replaced byRatu Epeli Nailatikau,a former Commander of the RFMF. Anew constitutionwas promulgated in 2013, leading toelections in September 2014,which were won by Bainimarama and hisFijiFirstParty.

The 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic

Main article:COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji

On 19 March, Fiji confirmed its first case ofCOVID-19inLautoka.As a precautionary measure, theGovernment of Fijiannounced the lockdown of the city until 7 April 2020. Later on 2 April, the Government announced a lockdown ofSuva,after confirmed cases in the capital. As the cases rose, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced a nationwide curfew from 8pm to 5am. Schools and non-essential services was closed and the public was advised to stay at home and practice good hygiene. Since June 2020, Fiji has successfully managed to eliminate community transmissions of the virus and were able to lift its COVID-19 restrictions. The country received itsCOVID-19 vaccinesin early March 2021 and administered it to frontline workers and first responders. As of March 2021, Fiji has confirmed 66 cases of COVID-19 and 2 deaths with the most cases being from the border.