Here we go again

Dec 6th 2006
From the Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire

Fiji suffers its fourth coup in two decades

Fiji has suffered its fourth coup since 1987. On December 5th the head of Fiji's armed forces, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, made good on his recent threat to remove the democratically elected prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, placing him and a number of cabinet ministers under house arrest and claiming executive authority for himself. Although the situation currently seems calm, the stability of the military government remains at risk. The coup will be disastrous for Fiji's tourism-dependent economy and its regional and international diplomatic standing.

After threatening to remove Mr Qarase unless he either acquiesced to several demands or resigned, Commodore Bainimarama took steps on December 4th to isolate the prime minister by having the army seize police weapons, disarm ministerial bodyguards and set up checkpoints in the capital, Suva. Mr Qarase's residence was surrounded with troops, and although he refused to resign he admitted he was powerless to prevent Commodore Bainimarama seizing power. His requests for military assistance from New Zealand and Australia were turned down.