1987 military coups
1980-1989
January 1, 1981
The South Pacific Regional Trade and Economics Agreement (SPARTECA) gives Pacific Island Forum countries duty-free and unrestricted access to Australia and New Zealand on specified products.
The agreement was signed in 1980. The garment industry was among industries that benefited from the agreement.
September 1981
Fiji is visited by the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. She was scheduled to visit Fiji on June 25, 1973 but postponed her trip. She is later assassinated in October 1984.
October 31, 1982
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits Fiji. The people of Bau Island in Tailevu host her on Saturday, October 30, 1982 when she opens the Great Council of Chiefs’ meeting on the island and bestow upon Governor General Ratu Sir George Cakobau a royal honour.
Ratu Sir George received the royal Victorian Chain making him the most recent recipient of the honour which linked back to Kind Edward VII in 1902.
In October, Fiji hosts the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting and the Alliance Party wins the general election held between July 10 and July 17, with 28 seats.
1984 — Fijian Holdings Ltd formed as an investment company. The company gets incorporated in 1984 to fulfill the objectives of the leaders of the iTaukei people of Fiji, by creating an entity representing the indigenous people in the business sector and ensuring their meaningful participation in the Fijian economy.
July 7, 1985
Timoci Bavadra helps set up the Fiji Labour Party with trade union support. The Fiji Labour Party was launched under the aegis of the Fiji Trades Union Congress in response to the ruling Alliance Party’s growing insensitivity towards the plight of workers and the poor.
The party’s inaugural meeting was held at the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) hall in Suva. Among the people who attended the launching were FTUC executives, politicians, professionals and USP academics.
November 22, 1986
A Fijian ceremonial welcome was according to His Holiness Pope John Paul II. The pope was in Fiji for the first time during his twoweek, 30,000-mile tour of Asia and the Pacific.
April 4-7, 1987
Fiji goes to the polls and later a coalition led by Dr Timoci Bavadra wins, ending 17 years of rule by the Alliance Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
The nationalistic Taukei Movement becomes more outspoken and aggressive.
April 14, 1987
The coalition between FLP and National Federation Party wins the general elections and topples the Alliance Party. FLP president and leader Dr Timoci Bavadra is sworn in as Fiji’s second PM and Minister for Public Service and Fijian Affairs.
Interim government is appointed in December 1987 led by Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to look after the affairs of the country between 1987 and 1992.
May 15, 1987
Fiji’s first bloodless military coup d’état takes place on May 14, led by then Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, the third down in military hierarchy of the then Royal Fiji Military Forces.
His aim was to make indigenous Fijians politically dominant. Lt-Col Rabuka staged a second coup on September 28 and appointed Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau as President. Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau in turn appoints Ratu Mara prime minister.
Mr Rabuka declares Fiji a Republic on October 7, 1987, and as a result, Fiji is excluded from the Commonwealth. The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand suspend aid to Fiji.