Q 1. What were the reasons for the two Fiji's coups in 1987? What role political parties played during the Coup? [Tutorial Question]
Fiji Labour Party-National Federation Party Coalition won a convincing and historic victory over the long-reigning Alliance party, bagging 28 of 52 seats in the Fiji Parliament. The new cabinet was a very young one and was well educated. They promised a new direction designed to create a non-ethnic state and a distributive society for Fiji, a move that pursued to end the legacy of communally disruptive politics left by the defeated previous government. The first coup in 1987 was executed to stifle collaboration between Indo-Fijians and indigenous Fijians for a non-racial political discourse. The coup leaders attempted to reinstall the defeated Mara government back into power, but were let down in their efforts by determined but peaceful internal resistance and considerable external pressure, then struck with a second coup on September 25 ended the monarchy, and was shortly followed by the proclamation of a republic on 7 October. Both military actions were led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, who was third in command in the Fiji Military Forces. The 1987coup were executed ostensibly to ensure Fijian paramountcy and the protection of Fijian interests.
The coalition of the National Federation Party and Fiji Labour Party under the leadership of Timoci Bavadra, formed in 1987 to contest that year's general election. The coalition won the election with 28 seats in the House of Representatives to the Alliance Party's 24 seats. A constitutional crisis developed when, three days after the election, the NFP splintered in a leadership brawl, and the Governor General of Fiji, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, asked the Mara government to remain in power in a caretaker capacity.
Q 2. Explain the Role of Great Council of Chiefs during the Coups? [Discussion Forum] [Refer to week 3 Lecture on GCC]
The Great Council of Chiefs plays a vital role in the running of the Fiji governments as it is a major body which ensures that everything done is for the betterment of the indigenous regarding the identity. The military forces and political leaders have turned to the GCC for legitimating of their actions, and, in the decade following Rabuka’s coups of 1987, the GCC came to be widely viewed as having an important national political role. Following the 1987 military coup conducted by Sitiveni Rabuka, the Council reverted to being an exclusively aristocratic body, its membership reserved to high chiefs. Rabuka argued that hereditary chiefs should retain paramount decision-making power. The GCC have grappled with the dangerous force of Fijian nationalist sentiment, at times endorsing it and at times restraining it in the process of setting up new regimes. On the same hand what stood out in the blustery events was Rabuka’s attempt to mediate the different political forces: Initially relying on the GCC and the two paramount chiefs for legitimacy and stability.