Opposition in Fiji to military coup is increasing

Opposition to Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji coup is building, with The Great Council of Chiefs refusing to recognise the military takeover, church groups coming out in opposition and Ministers insisting that they will not resign.

The Council’s chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini says it only recognises Ratu Josefa Iloilo as the President, and Laisenia Qarase as the legitimate Prime Minister.

Yesterday, the military removed the Vice President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, from his office and then from his residence, with the Head of the Council of Chiefs, also telling Radio Legend that this was illegal, adding, “Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi is a fine Chief and highly respected member of the legal profession, a former High Court Judge who is legally and unanimously appointed by the Chiefs”.

“Ratu Joni’s removal from office is illegal and unconstitutional and disrespectful.”

Speaking from Wellington, New Zealand’s Prime Minister backed the Chiefs’ stand. with Helen Clark repeating her appeal to the Fijian military to persuade their commander to step down, also suggesting the mounting pressure on Commodore Bainimirama’s coup is having an effect.

“He would have to be completely deaf not to hear the message and I think there’s an increasing level of hysteria in the tone of his voice”. 

“He knows people aren’t playing ball and The Great Council of Chiefs won’t play his game.”  “I thought the news about chiefs calling on members of the military from their districts to go home and desert him was very, very telling”.

Our message to the Fiji military is: remember your oath of allegiance. Will people within the force stand up to Commander Bainimirama and tell him his job is finished?”

At the same time, the leader of the Fijian Anglican church, Archbishop Jabez Bryce, has also come out against the coup, saying there is support for the rule of law and for democracy.

And Fiji’s judiciary says the country’s courts will remain open despite the military coup.

In a statement, the chief Justice, Daniel Fatiaki, said Fiji’s judges will stand by their oaths to uphold the constitution. A courts official, acting Chief Registrar Emosi (ee-moy-see) Koroi, set out the judges’ position.  “The position of the judiciary remains as usual, and that is just to uphold the rule of law”.  “At the moment our stand is that the courts are open and will always remain open, unless and until the constitution goes down.”  If the constitution goes, then there’s no courts.”

He says that so far there has been no attempt by the military to hinder the working of the courts, which are continuing to hear cases – including the ongoing trial of former coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka.

Laisenia Qarase’s cabinet, dismissed two days ago by the regime, is refusing to resign, with the Minister for public utilities, Robin Irwin, saying since the military takeover is illegal and unconstitutional, he will not resign and the Minister for multi-ethnic affairs, Ratu Meli Saukuru, says he will only resign if asked by President Iloilo or Mr Qarase.

The Labour Party Minister, Krishna Datt, also says he won’t resign and is still in office, despite coup-leader Frank Bainimarama’s announcement on Tuesday that all ministers had been sacked.  “I was sworn in by the President and and I have to wait till I hear from the President.”

“So long as he is there and from what I can gather the President is very much there, and the Prime Minister Qaarase is still asserting that he is the prime minister, the Council of Chiefs obviously recognises both the institutions and the individuals involved, – I see no reason to to give up!”

Report by The Mole