Sitiveni Rabuka executed a second coup

Fiji underwent a significant shift in its political landscape when Sitiveni Rabuka, an officer in the Royal Fiji Military Forces, executed a second coup. The preceding event had already set a tumultuous stage, as the first military coup led by Rabuka resulted in the deposition of the democratically elected government headed by Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. The first intervention was justified by Rabuka on the grounds of perceived threats to indigenous Fijian interests by the Indian-Fijian dominated coalition. In this second coup, Rabuka went further to consolidate his control. He abrogated the existing constitutional framework, negating the legislative and judicial processes that had been in place. By nullifying the constitution, Rabuka eliminated the checks and balances that are a hallmark of a democratic system, thus centralizing power within the military hierarchy. This action had profound implications for Fiji's socio-political environment. The abrogation of the constitution led to the suspension of basic democratic rights and civil liberties. The political instability significantly impacted the nation's economy, deterring both foreign investment and tourism, two critical sectors for Fiji’s economic health. Additionally, this upheaval exacerbated ethnic tensions between the indigenous Fijian population and the Indo-Fijians, who had been brought to Fiji during the British colonial era. Rabuka’s assertion of military control also triggered international responses. Several countries, including those in the Commonwealth, expressed their disapproval, and economic sanctions were considered. This period highlighted the vulnerabilities within Fijian society concerning ethnic divisions and the fragility of its democratic institutions. Overall, this event marked a pivotal point in Fiji’s history, redefining governance and raising questions about ethnic relations and democratic resilience within the island nation. #FijiHistory #MilitaryGovernance #EthnicTensions #PoliticalInstability #MoofLife