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2000 Fijian coup d'état

January 26, 2023

The Fiji coup d'état of 2000 was a civilian coup d'état by hardline i-Taukei (ethnic Fijian) nationalists against the elected government of an Indo-Fijian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry on 19 May 2000. This was followed by an attempt on 27 May by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority, and then by a military coup on 29 May by Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama. The coups resulted in the removal of the elected government and its replacement by an interim regime headed by Josefa Iloilo. In March 2001 the Court of Appeal of Fiji ruled that the coups and interim regime were illegal. An elected government was finally restored by the 2001 Fijian general election.

2000 Fijian coup d'état
Part of the Fiji coups

The burnt out remains of Govinda's Restaurant in Suva: over 100 shops and businesses were ransacked in Suva's central business district on 19 May.
Date19 May 2000 – 1 March 2001
(9 months, 1 week and 3 days)
Location
Fiji
Result

Coup fails:

  • Coup leaders charged
Belligerents
Republic of Fiji
Hardline i-Taukei Rebels
    •   Fijian Army Mutineers
Commanders and leaders
Kamisese Mara
Mahendra Chaudhry
Ratu Tevita Momoedonu
Frank Bainimarama
Laisenia Qarase
Josefa Iloilo		 George Speight
Timoci Silatolu
Shane Stevens
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
4 killed in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks Mutiny 4 killed in the aftermath of the Queen Elizabeth Barracks Mutiny
Hundreds of properties ransacked.

George Speight, the leader of the coup, was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Background

The 1999 Fijian general election saw a resounding victory for the People's Coalition, a multiracial grouping of the Fiji Labour Party, Fijian Association Party, National Unity Party and Christian Democratic Alliance.[1] The coalition won 54 of 71 seats, while the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei of Sitiveni Rabuka (who had come to power in the 1987 Fijian coups d'état) was reduced to 8 seats.[1] Mahendra Chaudhry became the country's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister.[2]

Chaudhry's election angered hardline i-Taukei nationalists, as did his government's moves to renew agricultural leases and compensate farmers whose leases had expired. In September 1999 the Great Council of Chiefs rejected the government's plan to renew leases.[3]: 66  Later that month, meetings were held around the country seeking the removal of the government, and former PANU leader Apisai Tora threatened to topple the government through protest marches and civil disobedience.[3]: 66–67  A series of protest marches followed in April 2000, and a large march led by Iliesa Duvuloco was scheduled by 19 May.[3]: 69–70 

Seizure of Parliament

On 19 May 2000, the first anniversary of Chaudhry's election, a group of armed men led by failed businessman George Speight stormed the Fijian Parliament and took the government hostage.[4][5][6] The coup was backed by Fiji's Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, who provided soldiers and weapons.[3]: 76–77 [7][8]: 223  Speight claimed to have seized power on behalf of ethnic Fijians, and purported to have revoked the 1997 constitution and appointed himself interim president and opposition MP Timoci Silatolu as interim Prime Minister.[6][9] In the immediate aftermath of the takeover, participants in the protest march moved from Government House to surround parliament, while mobs of youths burned and looted Indo-Fijian-owned shops in Suva.[3]: 85 [5]

President Kamisese Mara responded by declaring a state of emergency and police imposed a curfew.[9][10] Former Prime Minister Rabuka initially acted as a negotiator attempting to free the hostages,[3]: 86 [11] but was later dismissed after Speight decided he could no longer trust him.[12] On 20 May ten hostages were released after resigning from the government.[12][13] In a televised press conference Speight swore in Jope Seniloli as interim president, and was then sworn in as Prime Minister, with Silatolu as his deputy and Rakuita Vakalalabure as attorney-general.[3]: 95 [14] Chaudhry was beaten after refusing to resign.[14][15]

Police and the RFMF failed to control access to parliament, allowing people to come and go freely while negotiations continued.[3]: 112  On 26 May the RFMF finally attempted to establish a cordon, resulting in a confrontation with Speight in the presence of international media.[3]: 126  The same day fifteen soldiers and two military officers defected to the rebels.[16] The next day, 200 rebels confronted soldiers at the cordon, resulting in gunfire and two soldiers and a camera operator being wounded.[17][18] The next day President Mara sacked Chaudhry for being unable to perform his functions and appointed Tevita Momoedonu, the sole cabinet member who was not in parliament when it was seized, as Prime Minister.[15] After advising Mara to prorogue parliament for six months, Momoedonu resigned, leaving Mara with "unfettered executive authority".[3]: 128–129 [8]: 223 

Military coup and negotiations

Main article: Resignation of Ratu Mara

On 28 May, following the broadcast of a news segment critical of Speight, a rebel mob attacked the Fiji TV station, killing a police officer.[19][20][21] The breakdown of law and order saw Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga and other judges advise RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama to take control on the basis of "necessity".[3]: 134–135  After a meeting with Bainimarama and Rabuka, Mara resigned.[3]: 135–136 [8]: 223  Bainimarama then declared martial law, revoked the 1997 constitution, and took control of the country, declaring himself head of state.[22][23] Bainimarama initially named former army commander Epeli Nailatikau as Prime Minister,[24][25] but withdrew the nomination the next day after objections from Speight.[26] Bainimarama then deferred the appointment of a civilian government "until the climate is right", but committed that "Mahendra Chaudhry will no longer come back as Prime Minister".[27][28] The military regime then began talks with Speight aimed at the release of the hostages.[3]: 140–141  On 4 June, talks broke down,[29] and the military issued an ultimatum, demanding Speight release the hostages and lay down his arms, and in return promising an amnesty.[30][31]

Following the breakdown in negotiations the international community began to apply pressure. On 7 June 2000 the Commonwealth of Nations suspended Fiji.[32] The European Union threatened to ban Fijian sugar if Fiji gave in to Speight's demands.[3]: 146  On 14 June the New Zealand government applied a travel ban to Speight and 84 of his associates, as well as Fijian sports teams.[33] Australia followed with a sporting ban.[34] Unionised Australian workers refused to load Fijian cargo.[35]

On 12 June the military fired warning shots at Speight's vehicle at a checkpoint as he was returning to parliament from talks.[36] Speight called it "a failed assassination attempt",[3]: 188  and refused to attend future negotiation sessions.[3]: 204  Despite this, negotiations continued through intermediaries. On 18 June the military agreed to some of Speight's nominees for the interim government,[37] and Speight released four female hostages as a sign of good faith.[38] Negotiations then deadlocked on the issue of the presidency, with Speight backtracking on an initial agreement for the president to be nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and demanding instead that Ratu Josefa Iloilo be sworn in immediately.[39] The military issued another ultimatum, which was rejected.[40]

On 3 July 2000 Bainimarama named Laisenia Qarase as Prime Minister, heading an all-indigenous Fijian government.[3]: 205  Speight was outraged by the decision, and a gun-battle broke out at Parliament the next day in which five people were injured.[41][42] Chaos escalated, and rebels staged a number of incidents around the country. Soldiers at the Sukunaivalu Barracks in Labasa mutinied and declared support for Speight.[3]: 206  Local landowners took over the Monasavu Dam, cutting power to Suva.[3]: 206 [43] On 8 July rebels blocked the road between Suva and Nadi and stormed a police station in Korovou, taking 30 hostages.[44] At Naboro Prison, 50 inmates rioted, taking guards hostage.[45]

On 9 July Speight signed the Muanikau Accord with the military,[3]: 209  agreeing to release the hostages in exchange for an amnesty for himself. All his key demands had been met.[46] Nine hostages were released on 12 July,[45] and the remainder were released the next day after Iloilo was named president by the Great Council of Chiefs.[3]: 218 [47][48][49]

Following the return of hostages and weapons, Speight and his followers moved to Kalabu Fijian School on the outskirts of Suva.[3]: 229  Speight continued to lobby over the makeup of the interim cabinet, demanding that Qarase be replaced as Prime Minister by Adi Samanunu Cakobau,[50] and that rebels be given control of key portfolios.[3]: 230–231  When the government rejected his demands, his spokesman Joe Nata threatened civil war.[3]: 231 

On 26 July Speight, Nata, and two others were arrested at a military checkpoint following threats to President Iloilo.[51][52] The military then stormed his headquarters, killing one person and arresting 369 supporters.[53][54][55]

Aftermath

Main articles: Mutinies of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, Investigations since the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, and Trials since the 2000 Fijian coup d'état

In the wake of the coup tourism collapsed by 30%, and Fiji's economy contracted 8.2%.[56]

Despite Speight's arrest, violence by rebels continued. On 31 July Speight supporters terrorised the village of Dreketi, taking 30 hostages.[57] Soldiers who had mutinied at the Sukunaivalu Barracks did not surrender for six weeks.[58] On 8 August rebels ambushed a military patrol, killing one soldier and a policeman, and wounding three others.[3]: 234  On 2 November 2000, soldiers of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit loyal to Speight mutinied in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks mutiny, holding officers hostage in an attempt to depose military commander Frank Bainimarama. Two soldiers were killed and ten were injured when the military retook the barracks.[59][60] Four of the rebels were tortured and killed by loyal soldiers in the aftermath.[61]

On 15 November, the High Court of Fiji declared that the interim government was illegal. Mara remained the lawful President; Parliament had not been dissolved but only suspended, and should now be reconvened; and by implication, Chaudhry remained the lawful Prime Minister.[62] Mara subsequently officially resigned, with his resignation backdated to 29 May.[63] The Qarase government appealed the court ruling. On 1 March 2001, the Court of Appeal of Fiji confirmed the High Court decision reinstating the constitution.[64][65] The government accepted the decision, and new elections were subsequently held in August and September 2001.

On 18 February 2002 George Speight pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to death.[66][67] The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment the same day by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.[68] Ten other rebels received sentences of between 18 months and three years for kidnapping.[68] On 20 March 2003 Josefa Nata and Timoci Silatolu were convicted of treason.[69] On 28 June 2003 both were sentenced to life imprisonment.[70] In April 2005 Lands Minister Naiqama Lalabalavu, Senator Josefa Dimuri and two other Vanua Levu chiefs were sentenced to eight months imprisonment over his role in the Sukanaivalu Barracks mutiny.[71]

In November 2002 15 soldiers involved in the Queen Elizabeth barracks mutiny were sentenced to prison terms ranging from ten months to life imprisonment.[72]

In 2005 the Qarase government proposed the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill to grant amnesty to those involved in the coup, leading to the 2005–2006 Fijian political crisis and the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.

References

  1. ^ a b "The 1999 Fiji election and the legacy of history" (PDF). Journal of Pacific Studies. 25 (1): 6. 2001.
  2. ^ "For First Time, Ethnic Indian Will Lead Fiji". New York Times. 20 May 1999. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Field, Michael; Baba, Tupeni; Nabobo-Baba, Unaisi (2005). Speight of Violence : Inside Fiji's 2000 coup (PDF). Canberra: Pandanus Books. ISBN 9781740761703. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  4. ^ Sheryl Ho (19 May 2000). . Fiji Crisis. Archived from the original on 22 March 2003.
  5. ^ a b "Fiji's PM seized in coup". The Guardian. 19 May 2000. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Gunmen Storm Fiji's Parliament, Announce Government Takeover". Los Angeles Times. 19 May 2000. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  7. ^ Michael Field (28 May 2010). "Cloud coup coup land". Stuff. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Alley, Roderic (2001). "FIJI'S COUPS OF 1987 AND 2000: A COMPARISON" (PDF). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Fiji's leaders held hostage in 'ethnic' coup". Guardian. 20 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  10. ^ "FIJI:Civil Coup Attempt: Information Bulletin no: 2" (PDF). IFRC. 20 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  11. ^ "2000: Fiji Parliament stormed in coup". Otago Daily Times. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  12. ^ a b Rowena Singh (22 May 2000). . Fiji Crisis. Archived from the original on 22 March 2003.
  13. ^ "Coup leader says no to Fiji amnesty". Guardian. 22 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Coup leader bungles ceremony". BBC. 20 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Fiji hostage drama has violent twist". Guardian. 28 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Fiji troops defect to coup leader". BBC. 26 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  17. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 27 May 2000. Archived from the original on 24 February 2003.
  18. ^ "Shots fired in Fiji coup". BBC. 27 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Fijian Police Officer Killed During Melee". Los Angeles Times. 29 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
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  22. ^ "Fiji Military Takes Control And Declares Martial Law". New York Times. 30 May 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
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  24. ^ MITCHELL LANDSBERG (31 May 2000). "Naming of Premier Derails Fiji Talks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Fijian coup leaders force appointment of interim prime minister". The Guardian. 30 May 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  26. ^ Mark Tran (31 May 2000). "Coup leader asserts control". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Speight supporters go on rampage Chaudhry govt 'not to be restored'". Tribune of India. 31 May 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  28. ^ Rowan Callick (1 June 2000). "Reluctant ruler pledges return to stability". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Military Rulers In Fiji Say Talks Break Down". New York Times. 5 June 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  30. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 5 June 2000. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  31. ^ "FIJI: GEORGE SPEIGHT GIVEN WARNING BY MILITARY". AP Archive. 5 June 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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  33. ^ "Government Prohibits Entry of Speight Associates". New Zealand Government. 14 June 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  34. ^ Jilda Shem (14 June 2000). . Fiji Crisis. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  35. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 23 June 2000. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  36. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 12 June 2000. Archived from the original on 10 May 2003.
  37. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 18 June 2000. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  38. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 25 June 2000. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  39. ^ Joe Yaya (26 June 2000). . Fiji Crisis. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  40. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 28 June 2000. Archived from the original on 10 May 2003.
  41. ^ "Fiji rebels wounded in parliament shooting". The Guardian. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  42. ^ "Gun fight inside Fiji's Parliament". Australian Financial Review. 5 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  43. ^ "Fiji electricity told to pay dam landowners US$31.5m". RNZ. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  44. ^ "Supporters of Fiji coup grab more hostages". Deseret News. 8 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  45. ^ a b "9 Fijian hostages freed, but order may unravel". Deseret News. 13 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  46. ^ "Fiji coup". The Guardian. 13 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  47. ^ Paul Alexander (14 July 2000). "Hostage Crisis Ends in Fiji". AP News. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  48. ^ "Fiji hostage crisis ends". The Guardian. 13 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  49. ^ "Fiji's isolation grows as last hostages freed". The Globe and Mail. 14 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  50. ^ "Fiji rebels demand PM be replaced with woman chief". CNN. 22 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  51. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 27 July 2000. Archived from the original on 24 February 2003.
  52. ^ "Fiji: Speight reported arrested". The Guardian. 26 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  53. ^ . Fiji Crisis. 27 July 2000. Archived from the original on 24 February 2003.
  54. ^ "Coup Leader in Fiji Is Arrested by the Military". New York Times. 27 July 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  55. ^ Marie McInerney (27 July 2000). "Fiji Coup Leader Speight Arrested". ABC News. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  56. ^ "Fiji - One year on from the coup". New Zealand Government. 18 May 2001. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  57. ^ Matthew Brace (31 July 2000). "Ethnic attack raises Fiji tension". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Fiji army preaches peace in rebel stronghold". CNN. 14 August 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  59. ^ "Fiji Army Reclaims Barracks After Mutiny". ABC News. 3 November 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  60. ^ "Two Fijian soldiers die in gunbattle with rebel troops". CNN. 2 November 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  61. ^ "Fiji commemorates 2000 mutiny". Radio New Zealand. 2 November 2020.
  62. ^ Prasad v Republic of Fiji, 2000 FJHC 121 (High Court of Fiji 15 November 2000).
  63. ^ "Ratu Mara Resigns". Scoop. 21 December 2000. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  64. ^ "High Court upholds ruling on illegality of Fiji Government". New Zealand Herald. 1 March 2001. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  65. ^ Republic of Fiji Islands v Prasad, 2001 FJCA 2 (Court of Appeal of Fiji 1 March 2001).
  66. ^ "Speight sentenced to death". New Zealand Herald. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  67. ^ "Fiji coup leader sentenced to die". The Guardian. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  68. ^ a b "Jail for Fiji rebels". BBC. 19 February 2002. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  69. ^ "Fiji coup accomplices found guilty of treason". RNZ. 21 March 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  70. ^ "Life sentences for Fiji treason convicts". RNZ. 28 June 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  71. ^ "Fiji's lands minister jailed for 8 months for coup offences". RNZ. 4 April 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  72. ^ "Fiji court martial sentences mutiny leader to life in jail". RNZ. 15 November 2002. Retrieved 21 December 2022.

Further reading

  • Trnka, S. (2011). State of Suffering: Political Violence and Community Survival in Fiji. United States: Cornell University Press., ISBN 9780801461880 Read
  • Pretes, M. (2008). Coup: Reflections on the Political Crisis in Fiji. United States: ANU E Press., ISBN 9781921536373 Read

January 26, 2023
2000, fijian, coup, état, fiji, coup, état, 2000, civilian, coup, état, hardline, taukei, ethnic, fijian, nationalists, against, elected, government, indo, fijian, prime, minister, mahendra, chaudhry, 2000, this, followed, attempt, president, ratu, kamisese, m. The Fiji coup d etat of 2000 was a civilian coup d etat by hardline i Taukei ethnic Fijian nationalists against the elected government of an Indo Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry on 19 May 2000 This was followed by an attempt on 27 May by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority and then by a military coup on 29 May by Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama The coups resulted in the removal of the elected government and its replacement by an interim regime headed by Josefa Iloilo In March 2001 the Court of Appeal of Fiji ruled that the coups and interim regime were illegal An elected government was finally restored by the 2001 Fijian general election 2000 Fijian coup d etatPart of the Fiji coupsThe burnt out remains of Govinda s Restaurant in Suva over 100 shops and businesses were ransacked in Suva s central business district on 19 May Date19 May 2000 1 March 2001 9 months 1 week and 3 days LocationFijiResultCoup fails Coup leaders chargedBelligerentsRepublic of Fiji Military Forces PoliceHardline i Taukei Rebels Fijian Army MutineersCommanders and leadersKamisese Mara Mahendra Chaudhry Ratu Tevita Momoedonu Frank Bainimarama Laisenia Qarase Josefa IloiloGeorge SpeightTimoci SilatoluShane StevensStrengthUnknownUnknownCasualties and losses4 killed in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks Mutiny4 killed in the aftermath of the Queen Elizabeth Barracks MutinyHundreds of properties ransacked George Speight the leader of the coup was convicted of treason and sentenced to death The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment Contents 1 Background 2 Seizure of Parliament 3 Military coup and negotiations 4 Aftermath 5 References 6 Further readingBackground EditThe 1999 Fijian general election saw a resounding victory for the People s Coalition a multiracial grouping of the Fiji Labour Party Fijian Association Party National Unity Party and Christian Democratic Alliance 1 The coalition won 54 of 71 seats while the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei of Sitiveni Rabuka who had come to power in the 1987 Fijian coups d etat was reduced to 8 seats 1 Mahendra Chaudhry became the country s first Indo Fijian Prime Minister 2 Chaudhry s election angered hardline i Taukei nationalists as did his government s moves to renew agricultural leases and compensate farmers whose leases had expired In September 1999 the Great Council of Chiefs rejected the government s plan to renew leases 3 66 Later that month meetings were held around the country seeking the removal of the government and former PANU leader Apisai Tora threatened to topple the government through protest marches and civil disobedience 3 66 67 A series of protest marches followed in April 2000 and a large march led by Iliesa Duvuloco was scheduled by 19 May 3 69 70 Seizure of Parliament EditOn 19 May 2000 the first anniversary of Chaudhry s election a group of armed men led by failed businessman George Speight stormed the Fijian Parliament and took the government hostage 4 5 6 The coup was backed by Fiji s Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit who provided soldiers and weapons 3 76 77 7 8 223 Speight claimed to have seized power on behalf of ethnic Fijians and purported to have revoked the 1997 constitution and appointed himself interim president and opposition MP Timoci Silatolu as interim Prime Minister 6 9 In the immediate aftermath of the takeover participants in the protest march moved from Government House to surround parliament while mobs of youths burned and looted Indo Fijian owned shops in Suva 3 85 5 President Kamisese Mara responded by declaring a state of emergency and police imposed a curfew 9 10 Former Prime Minister Rabuka initially acted as a negotiator attempting to free the hostages 3 86 11 but was later dismissed after Speight decided he could no longer trust him 12 On 20 May ten hostages were released after resigning from the government 12 13 In a televised press conference Speight swore in Jope Seniloli as interim president and was then sworn in as Prime Minister with Silatolu as his deputy and Rakuita Vakalalabure as attorney general 3 95 14 Chaudhry was beaten after refusing to resign 14 15 Police and the RFMF failed to control access to parliament allowing people to come and go freely while negotiations continued 3 112 On 26 May the RFMF finally attempted to establish a cordon resulting in a confrontation with Speight in the presence of international media 3 126 The same day fifteen soldiers and two military officers defected to the rebels 16 The next day 200 rebels confronted soldiers at the cordon resulting in gunfire and two soldiers and a camera operator being wounded 17 18 The next day President Mara sacked Chaudhry for being unable to perform his functions and appointed Tevita Momoedonu the sole cabinet member who was not in parliament when it was seized as Prime Minister 15 After advising Mara to prorogue parliament for six months Momoedonu resigned leaving Mara with unfettered executive authority 3 128 129 8 223 Military coup and negotiations EditMain article Resignation of Ratu Mara On 28 May following the broadcast of a news segment critical of Speight a rebel mob attacked the Fiji TV station killing a police officer 19 20 21 The breakdown of law and order saw Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga and other judges advise RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama to take control on the basis of necessity 3 134 135 After a meeting with Bainimarama and Rabuka Mara resigned 3 135 136 8 223 Bainimarama then declared martial law revoked the 1997 constitution and took control of the country declaring himself head of state 22 23 Bainimarama initially named former army commander Epeli Nailatikau as Prime Minister 24 25 but withdrew the nomination the next day after objections from Speight 26 Bainimarama then deferred the appointment of a civilian government until the climate is right but committed that Mahendra Chaudhry will no longer come back as Prime Minister 27 28 The military regime then began talks with Speight aimed at the release of the hostages 3 140 141 On 4 June talks broke down 29 and the military issued an ultimatum demanding Speight release the hostages and lay down his arms and in return promising an amnesty 30 31 Following the breakdown in negotiations the international community began to apply pressure On 7 June 2000 the Commonwealth of Nations suspended Fiji 32 The European Union threatened to ban Fijian sugar if Fiji gave in to Speight s demands 3 146 On 14 June the New Zealand government applied a travel ban to Speight and 84 of his associates as well as Fijian sports teams 33 Australia followed with a sporting ban 34 Unionised Australian workers refused to load Fijian cargo 35 On 12 June the military fired warning shots at Speight s vehicle at a checkpoint as he was returning to parliament from talks 36 Speight called it a failed assassination attempt 3 188 and refused to attend future negotiation sessions 3 204 Despite this negotiations continued through intermediaries On 18 June the military agreed to some of Speight s nominees for the interim government 37 and Speight released four female hostages as a sign of good faith 38 Negotiations then deadlocked on the issue of the presidency with Speight backtracking on an initial agreement for the president to be nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and demanding instead that Ratu Josefa Iloilo be sworn in immediately 39 The military issued another ultimatum which was rejected 40 On 3 July 2000 Bainimarama named Laisenia Qarase as Prime Minister heading an all indigenous Fijian government 3 205 Speight was outraged by the decision and a gun battle broke out at Parliament the next day in which five people were injured 41 42 Chaos escalated and rebels staged a number of incidents around the country Soldiers at the Sukunaivalu Barracks in Labasa mutinied and declared support for Speight 3 206 Local landowners took over the Monasavu Dam cutting power to Suva 3 206 43 On 8 July rebels blocked the road between Suva and Nadi and stormed a police station in Korovou taking 30 hostages 44 At Naboro Prison 50 inmates rioted taking guards hostage 45 On 9 July Speight signed the Muanikau Accord with the military 3 209 agreeing to release the hostages in exchange for an amnesty for himself All his key demands had been met 46 Nine hostages were released on 12 July 45 and the remainder were released the next day after Iloilo was named president by the Great Council of Chiefs 3 218 47 48 49 Following the return of hostages and weapons Speight and his followers moved to Kalabu Fijian School on the outskirts of Suva 3 229 Speight continued to lobby over the makeup of the interim cabinet demanding that Qarase be replaced as Prime Minister by Adi Samanunu Cakobau 50 and that rebels be given control of key portfolios 3 230 231 When the government rejected his demands his spokesman Joe Nata threatened civil war 3 231 On 26 July Speight Nata and two others were arrested at a military checkpoint following threats to President Iloilo 51 52 The military then stormed his headquarters killing one person and arresting 369 supporters 53 54 55 Aftermath EditMain articles Mutinies of the 2000 Fijian coup d etat Investigations since the 2000 Fijian coup d etat and Trials since the 2000 Fijian coup d etat In the wake of the coup tourism collapsed by 30 and Fiji s economy contracted 8 2 56 Despite Speight s arrest violence by rebels continued On 31 July Speight supporters terrorised the village of Dreketi taking 30 hostages 57 Soldiers who had mutinied at the Sukunaivalu Barracks did not surrender for six weeks 58 On 8 August rebels ambushed a military patrol killing one soldier and a policeman and wounding three others 3 234 On 2 November 2000 soldiers of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit loyal to Speight mutinied in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks mutiny holding officers hostage in an attempt to depose military commander Frank Bainimarama Two soldiers were killed and ten were injured when the military retook the barracks 59 60 Four of the rebels were tortured and killed by loyal soldiers in the aftermath 61 On 15 November the High Court of Fiji declared that the interim government was illegal Mara remained the lawful President Parliament had not been dissolved but only suspended and should now be reconvened and by implication Chaudhry remained the lawful Prime Minister 62 Mara subsequently officially resigned with his resignation backdated to 29 May 63 The Qarase government appealed the court ruling On 1 March 2001 the Court of Appeal of Fiji confirmed the High Court decision reinstating the constitution 64 65 The government accepted the decision and new elections were subsequently held in August and September 2001 On 18 February 2002 George Speight pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to death 66 67 The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment the same day by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo 68 Ten other rebels received sentences of between 18 months and three years for kidnapping 68 On 20 March 2003 Josefa Nata and Timoci Silatolu were convicted of treason 69 On 28 June 2003 both were sentenced to life imprisonment 70 In April 2005 Lands Minister Naiqama Lalabalavu Senator Josefa Dimuri and two other Vanua Levu chiefs were sentenced to eight months imprisonment over his role in the Sukanaivalu Barracks mutiny 71 In November 2002 15 soldiers involved in the Queen Elizabeth barracks mutiny were sentenced to prison terms ranging from ten months to life imprisonment 72 In 2005 the Qarase government proposed the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill to grant amnesty to those involved in the coup leading to the 2005 2006 Fijian political crisis and the 2006 Fijian coup d etat References Edit a b The 1999 Fiji election and the legacy of history PDF Journal of Pacific Studies 25 1 6 2001 For First Time Ethnic Indian Will Lead Fiji New York Times 20 May 1999 Retrieved 19 February 2022 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Field Michael Baba Tupeni Nabobo Baba Unaisi 2005 Speight of Violence Inside Fiji s 2000 coup PDF Canberra Pandanus Books ISBN 9781740761703 Retrieved 19 February 2022 Sheryl Ho 19 May 2000 GUNMEN SEIZE PRIME MINISTER HOSTAGE IN FIJI COUP BID Fiji Crisis Archived from the original on 22 March 2003 a b Fiji s PM seized in coup The Guardian 19 May 2000 Retrieved 19 February 2022 a b Gunmen Storm Fiji s Parliament Announce Government Takeover Los Angeles Times 19 May 2000 Retrieved 19 February 2022 Michael Field 28 May 2010 Cloud coup coup land Stuff Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b c Alley Roderic 2001 FIJI S COUPS OF 1987 AND 2000 A COMPARISON PDF Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b Fiji s leaders held hostage in ethnic coup Guardian 20 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 FIJI Civil Coup Attempt Information Bulletin no 2 PDF IFRC 20 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 2000 Fiji Parliament stormed in coup Otago Daily Times 2 February 2012 Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b Rowena Singh 22 May 2000 Fiji Coup Diary of Events Fiji Crisis Archived from the original on 22 March 2003 Coup leader says no to Fiji amnesty Guardian 22 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b Coup leader bungles ceremony BBC 20 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b Fiji hostage drama has violent twist Guardian 28 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fiji troops defect to coup leader BBC 26 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 CAMERAMAN TWO SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN GUNFIRE NEAR PARLIAMENT Fiji Crisis 27 May 2000 Archived from the original on 24 February 2003 Shots fired in Fiji coup BBC 27 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fijian Police Officer Killed During Melee Los Angeles Times 29 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Policeman dies in attack on Fiji TV Fiji Crisis 29 May 2000 Archived from the original on 22 March 2003 Violence escalates as mob runs riot in Fiji Guardian 29 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fiji Military Takes Control And Declares Martial Law New York Times 30 May 2000 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Three new decrees revoke Fiji s Constitution Fiji Crisis 30 May 2000 Archived from the original on 22 March 2003 MITCHELL LANDSBERG 31 May 2000 Naming of Premier Derails Fiji Talks Los Angeles Times Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fijian coup leaders force appointment of interim prime minister The Guardian 30 May 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Mark Tran 31 May 2000 Coup leader asserts control The Guardian Retrieved 21 December 2022 Speight supporters go on rampage Chaudhry govt not to be restored Tribune of India 31 May 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Rowan Callick 1 June 2000 Reluctant ruler pledges return to stability Australian Financial Review Retrieved 21 December 2022 Military Rulers In Fiji Say Talks Break Down New York Times 5 June 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 FIJI MILITARY ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO SPEIGHT Fiji Crisis 5 June 2000 Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 FIJI GEORGE SPEIGHT GIVEN WARNING BY MILITARY AP Archive 5 June 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Commonwealth suspends Fiji over coup CBC 7 June 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Government Prohibits Entry of Speight Associates New Zealand Government 14 June 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Jilda Shem 14 June 2000 NEW ZEALAND BLACKLISTS SPEIGHT S REBELS Fiji Crisis Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 PRO DEMOCRACY BANS MAY INTENSIFY Fiji Crisis 23 June 2000 Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 MILITARY OPEN FIRE AT REBEL LEADER S CONVOY Fiji Crisis 12 June 2000 Archived from the original on 10 May 2003 MILITARY REGIME AGREES TO SOME SPEIGHT NOMINEES Fiji Crisis 18 June 2000 Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 FOUR WOMEN HOSTAGES RELEASED Fiji Crisis 25 June 2000 Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 Joe Yaya 26 June 2000 PRESIDENT ISSUE DEADLOCKS TALKS Fiji Crisis Archived from the original on 25 March 2003 REBELS REJECT MILITARY ULTIMATUM Fiji Crisis 28 June 2000 Archived from the original on 10 May 2003 Fiji rebels wounded in parliament shooting The Guardian 4 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Gun fight inside Fiji s Parliament Australian Financial Review 5 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji electricity told to pay dam landowners US 31 5m RNZ 1 November 2005 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Supporters of Fiji coup grab more hostages Deseret News 8 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 a b 9 Fijian hostages freed but order may unravel Deseret News 13 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji coup The Guardian 13 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Paul Alexander 14 July 2000 Hostage Crisis Ends in Fiji AP News Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji hostage crisis ends The Guardian 13 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji s isolation grows as last hostages freed The Globe and Mail 14 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji rebels demand PM be replaced with woman chief CNN 22 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 REBEL LEADER GEORGE SPEIGHT ARRESTED Fiji Crisis 27 July 2000 Archived from the original on 24 February 2003 Fiji Speight reported arrested The Guardian 26 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 MILITARY STORM REBELS 1 DEAD 40 WOUNDED Fiji Crisis 27 July 2000 Archived from the original on 24 February 2003 Coup Leader in Fiji Is Arrested by the Military New York Times 27 July 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Marie McInerney 27 July 2000 Fiji Coup Leader Speight Arrested ABC News Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji One year on from the coup New Zealand Government 18 May 2001 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Matthew Brace 31 July 2000 Ethnic attack raises Fiji tension The Guardian Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji army preaches peace in rebel stronghold CNN 14 August 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji Army Reclaims Barracks After Mutiny ABC News 3 November 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Two Fijian soldiers die in gunbattle with rebel troops CNN 2 November 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji commemorates 2000 mutiny Radio New Zealand 2 November 2020 Prasad v Republic of Fiji 2000 FJHC 121 High Court of Fiji 15 November 2000 Ratu Mara Resigns Scoop 21 December 2000 Retrieved 21 December 2022 High Court upholds ruling on illegality of Fiji Government New Zealand Herald 1 March 2001 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Republic of Fiji Islands v Prasad 2001 FJCA 2 Court of Appeal of Fiji 1 March 2001 Speight sentenced to death New Zealand Herald 18 February 2002 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fiji coup leader sentenced to die The Guardian 18 February 2002 Retrieved 20 February 2022 a b Jail for Fiji rebels BBC 19 February 2002 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fiji coup accomplices found guilty of treason RNZ 21 March 2003 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Life sentences for Fiji treason convicts RNZ 28 June 2003 Retrieved 20 February 2022 Fiji s lands minister jailed for 8 months for coup offences RNZ 4 April 2005 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Fiji court martial sentences mutiny leader to life in jail RNZ 15 November 2002 Retrieved 21 December 2022 Further reading EditTrnka S 2011 State of Suffering Political Violence and Community Survival in Fiji United States Cornell University Press ISBN 9780801461880 Read Pretes M 2008 Coup Reflections on the Political Crisis in Fiji United States ANU E Press ISBN 9781921536373 Read Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2000 Fijian coup d 27etat amp oldid 1130640704, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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