Understanding Bainimarama

The Fiji coup may not be such an unfortunate development after all

A continuous stand-off has been on between the military and the elected government of Fiji for the last several months. This has finally resulted in a coup. Military coups are generally despised and are believed to be bad for the country. Interestingly, in the case of Fiji, the military claims to have intervened to protect the national interest. Being a military man, army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama may not have the shrewdness of a politician, but his record since the last coup in Fiji is blameless. In fact, Bainimarama played a commendable role in the bloodless resolution of the last coup that took place in 2000. He was the man who had appointed Laisenia Qarase, a banker, as the head of the interim government after that coup.

Elections were held under Qarase and he became the prime minister. Unfortunately, after assuming power, he took a number of steps which threatened to exacerbate Fiji’s racial divide. He tried to introduce a bill for the ‘Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity’ which sought to pardon those involved in the coup. The military has also opposed the proposed Qoliqoli Bill that seeks to return the traditional fishing grounds to the native owners. The bill also proposes to establish a commission to control and regulate fishing rights. This bill was an unprecedented move not seen anywhere else in the Pacific Ocean countries.

Qarase hoped to receive tremendous political advantage from the introduction of these bills which could have consolidated his hold over the indigenous Fijians. These steps humiliated the military, which had lost a number of its men in the last coup. What was worse, he tried to put the very thugs who had plotted the earlier coup in important positions. Instead of considering Bainimarama’s objections, Qarase tried to clip his wings. He tried to strengthen Fiji’s police force so that he could use it as a counterweight against the military and appointed Andrew Hughes, on deputation from Australia, as police commissioner.

Story continues below this ad

Qarase has been trying to take the help of Australia, New Zealand and the US. While it has refrained from military action, the international community has taken a very critical view of the coup. The EU and the US have condemned the action of the military in Fiji. The EU has stated that it will suspend the $350 million grant for Fiji’s ailing sugar industry. The US too has suspended $2.5 million in assistance. New Zealand has suspended defence ties. The Commonwealth has threatened Fiji with explusion.

The involvement of Fiji military in the coup might lead to the removal of its troops from UN peacekeeping forces. Fiji’s tourism has already been under severe pressure due to the upheaval. In these circumstances, it is necessary for both the military and the elected government to sit together and sort the matter out, keeping in view Fiji’s long-term interests and cohesion.