Ratu Mara passes on
2000-2009
May 21, 2000
Story of the third coup led by civilian George Speight floods Fiji.
Rebel soldiers storm parliament, and deposes Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, Mahendra Pal Chaudhry.
Mr Chaudhry and members of his government are held hostage within the premises of Parliament for 56 days.
In June — the Commonwealth suspends Fiji. In July Chaudhry and other hostages are released and the Great Council of Chiefs appoints Tui Vuda, Ratu Josefa Iloilo as President.
In late July, Speight is arrested. He is later tried in court and sentenced to life in jail.
November 9, 2000
Eight soldiers are killed in a failed mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth barracks in Nabua.
April 2004
Former leader Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, dies aged 83. He was Fiji’s Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970; Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992 and President from 1993 to 2000.
December 6, 2006
Fiji’s fourth coup by Navy Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, leader of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party is deposed.
December 15, 2008
The People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress report recommends a change in the name of Fiji’s citizens.
All citizens of Fiji, whatever their ethnicity, to be called “Fijians”. The proposal changed the English name of indigenous Fijians from “Fijians” to iTaukei.
April 2009
Appeals Court rules the military regime was illegally appointed after the 2006 coup and says a caretaker prime minister should be appointed to call elections to restore democracy.
President Iloilo repeals the constitution, appoints himself head of state, sets a 2014 election deadline and sacks all the judges. He then reappoints Mr Bainimarama as interim prime minister. Martial law is imposed.
May 2009
South Pacific nations suspend Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum regional bloc for its failure to hold elections.
In July PM Bainimarama unveils plans for a new constitution by 2013, ahead of elections in 2014.
He says that under the proposed changes, the ethnic-based system introduced in 1997 will be scrapped.
President Iloilo steps down, succeeded on an interim basis by Vice-President Epeli Nailatikau.
September 2009
The Commonwealth fully suspends Fiji after the refusal of the military government to bow to demands to call elections by 2010. Fiji faces second full suspension in the organisation’s history.