Q1. What factors led to Fiji's 2000 Coup. Identify the role played by George Speight during the Coup? [Discussion Forum Question]
2000 Coup:
- The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian coup d'état by hardline I-Taukei nationalists against the elected government of a Fijian of Indian Descent Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000.
- President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara attempt to assert executive authority on 27 May, and his own resignation, possibly forced, on 29 May.
- An interim government headed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama was set up, and handed power over to an interim administration headed by Ratu Josefa Iloilo, as President, on 13 July.
- Parliamentary elections in May 1999, had resulted in a decisive victory for the People's Coalition, a multiracial grouping that was dominated by the predominantly Labour Party but which also included three other parties supported.
- Mahendra Chaudhry had become the country's first Prime Minister of Indian descent.
- The election result and Chaudhry's subsequent appointment as Prime Minister angered hardline I-Taukei nationalists.
- His government's hints at land reform caused further alarm.
- Although, National Federation Party (NFP) one no single seat but showedgreat opposition to Chaudhary's government.
- Chaudhry government embarked on a numerous reform, of legislative reform, setting up commissions (Education and Human Rights), instituting inquiries (into corruption), staffing statutory organizations with competent staff (Housing Authority).
- The appearance of movement and change was impressive, but it also embroiled the government in a hugely counterproductive tussle with the media.
- Small things were magnified (Why did Chaudhry appoint his own son, not a civil servant, as his personal assistant on the public pay roll?)in an atmosphere already rife with suspicion and distrust of the government’s motives.
- Government lacks mandate as competing interest of NLTB, GCC and army.
- Chaudhary own forceful personality, forged in the long years spent in the trade union movement, also played its part in galvanizing the opposition.
Role played by George Speight:
- Publically, 45-year-old George Speight was the principal instigator.
- He was a failed businessman, sacked from chairman of the Fiji Pine Commission and the Hardwood Corporation.
- He was declared bankrupt and was about the face court proceedings, when he launched his assault on parliament. Clearly, Speight had his own private grievances, which he carefully hid behind a fiercely nationalist rhetoric.
- He portrayed himself as faithful servant of the Fijian cause, an anointed savior of the Fijian ‘race ‘and Fijian cultural hero.
- Speight got international media criticism because he showing as face of indigenous Fijian nationalism was articulate, engaging, bantering/teasing/mocking with the international media.
- Many individuals and groups work behind the scene for supporting him, especially politicians defeated in last elections otherwise excluded from power, seeking redress and probably revenge against Chaudhary government.
- Young businessmen also supported him who was not happy in 1990s and wanted to take benefit from opportunistic access to power and securing loan. Many indigenous Fijian middle class supported Speight’s agenda.
- Many unemployed and unskilled Fijian youth spread vandalism in Suva and terrorized the countryside. Many among them have little understanding of Speight’s hidden personal agendas and complex forces at work.
- Many supports were victims of the structural reform policies of 1990s Rabuka government, where they remained poor and destitute and others became successful. They became prey of Speights’s rhetoric and easy solutions of getting rid of Indians and revert to tradition, they responded on basis of racial solidarity.
- George Speight claims to represent indigenous Fijian interests. Sporting his European name, speaking exclusively in English, drawing on his Australian and American degrees in business for mana, and wearing his designer clothes, Speight does indeed represent indigenous Fijian interests. But Speight’s indigenous Fijian interests are clearly neither the indigenous Fijian interests of Ratu Mara nor those of the late Dr Bavadra.
- Speight’s version of indigenous Fijian interests probably coincides in many areas with Rabuka’s version of indigenous Fijian interests. But the men Speight has surrounded himself with also represent a changing of the guard from Rabuka’s Queen Victoria School Old Boys network to an unlikely coalition of relatively young ‘old boys’ from Marist Brothers High School (Ratu Mara’s alma mater) and Suva Grammar School.
- George Speight declared bankrupt following the cancellation of several contracts by the Chaudhry government, entered Parliament buildings on 19 May 2000, disaffected elements of the I-Taukei population rallied to his side.
Q2. What do you understand of the hostage crisis and how it was resolved? [Tutorial Questions]
In 19th May 2000, George Speight and his men stomped in the Parliament building armed with guns threatening Chaudhary and his government. For 56 days, Prime Minister Chaudhry and most of his cabinet, along with many Parliamentarians and their staff, were held as hostages while Speight attempted to negotiate with the President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who denounced the coup and declared a state of emergency, and with the military administration which took office on 29 May. On 26 May, fifteen soldiers and two officers defected to the rebels, and, the following day, gunfire was exchanged. In a move that constitutional experts have described as of questionable constitutionality, Mara dismissed the government from office (for being "unable to act") prorogued Parliament for six months, and assumed executive authority himself. In doing so, he claimed to be following the advice of the Chief Justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga, but he refused to abrogate the constitution, which Tuivaga had also advised. Mara admitted that his actions were at the very edge of constitutionality but said he believed they were within that boundary and necessary.
Moreover, Speight's claims to be a Fijian nationalist and a champion of indigenous rights attracted support from certain elements of the Fijian population who were angered by the results of the 1999 election, which had swept away a government dominated by ethnic Fijians and brought to power a multiracial government led by Mahendra Chaudhry, who became Fiji's first-ever Indo-Fijian Prime Minister. Hints that the Chaudhry government might institute some form of "land reform" also generated considerable resentment among sections of the indigenous population, despite Constitutional guarantees of ethnic Fijian land ownership. Speight thus found sizeable number of sympathizers when he launched his putsch on 19 May.
Furthermore, Speight proceeded to appoint a "Cabinet". He initially named himself President, before appointing Ratu Jope Seniloli to the post two days later. Ratu Timoci Silatolu was appointed Prime Minister, downgraded to Deputy Prime Minister two days later, when Speight himself was named to the post by Seniloli. Other appointments included Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as Minister for Fijian Affairs, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure as Minister for Home Affairs, and Simione Kaitani, Isireli Leweniqila, Levani Tonitonivanua, Berenado Vunibobo, Ratu Tu'uakitau Cokanauto and Ratu Inoke Kubuabola as Ministers without portfolio. Some, including Seniloli, Lalabalavu, and Vakalalabure were later convicted of coup-related offences, but whether all of the others had consented to their ministerial "appointments" as announced by Speight is not known.Mara made appeal to leaders of dissenting groups to show dissent under law, this appeal was not heard. The President lacked the resources to enforce his will. The army was still in the barracks, police force was confused and many supported Speight.
To conclude, after being persuaded that Sitiveni Rabuka did not have foreknowledge of the coup, Mara engaged him as his mediator with Speight. Rabuka was an occasional golfing partner of Speight and the hijackers had reportedly trained on his estate in Vanua Levu. Mara suggested through Rabuka that Chaudhry should voluntarily step down in favor of an indigenous Fijian. Deputy Prime Minister Tupeni Baba was the name Mara had in mind as the Fijian replacement. Speight welcomed the suggestion, but asked Mara to step down as well. When Rabuka conveyed that demand to Mara, the President agreed to oblige but only if that was the decision of the Great Council of Chiefs. Speight also wanted to meet the President, but Mara refused unless the hostages were released first. Commodore Frank Bainimarama assumed executive leadership and imposed martial law at 6 p.m. on 29 May. An immediate curfew was imposed. A new military council was appointed to run the country for up to three years during which a new constitution would be drawn up and elections held under it.