Constitutional Changes in Fiji Promote Ethnic Fijian Dominance, Marginalize Indo-Fijian Community.

Following the 1987 military coups, the new Constitution institutionalized ethnic Fijian dominance within Fiji’s political framework. The military coups were staged by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka and were driven primarily by concerns over the political influence and electoral victories of the Indo-Fijian community. In response to perceived threats to indigenous Fijian interests, the government sought to restructure the political system to consolidate power among ethnic Fijians. The new Constitution entrenched this dominance by reserving a majority of parliamentary seats for ethnic Fijians and other Pacific Islanders, limiting Indo-Fijian representation. Specifically, the Constitution allocated 37 of the 70 seats in the House of Representatives to ethnic Fijians, whereas Indo-Fijians, who comprised approximately 48% of the population at the time, were allocated only 27 seats. Additionally, all 34 seats in the Senate were appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, an ethnic Fijian institution. These measures were intended to ensure that political power remained securely in the hands of the ethnic Fijian community. This institutionalization had profound implications for the Indo-Fijian population, who felt increasingly marginalized and disenfranchised. The constitutional changes further exacerbated ethnic tensions and led to emigration on a significant scale, particularly among Indo-Fijians seeking better opportunities and political stability abroad. Critics of the new Constitution argued that it undermined democratic principles and deepened divisions within Fiji's society. Supporters contended that it was necessary for the preservation of ethnic Fijian culture and identity. This period was marked by growing debates over national identity, political representation, and the balance between communal rights and individual citizenship. #MoofLife #FijiPolitics #EthnicDivision #Institutionalization #ConstitutionalReform #PoliticalHistory