New Flags Flying - Pacific Leaders Remember
Part 6 Fiji
Significant Events Since Independence
1972 General Election won by Alliance led by Ratu Mara.
1977 General Election won by National Federation Party; Alliance reinstated after NFP leader fails to command majority of MPs.
1982 General Election won by Alliance led by Ratu Mara.
1987 General Election won by Fiji Labour Party led by Timoci Bavadra. Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka seizes control in two military coups and declares Fiji a republic with former Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau as president and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara acting Prime Minister.
1992 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara appointed President. General Election won by Fijian Political Party led by Sitiveni Rabuka.
1993 Death of Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau.
1999 General Election won by Fiji Labour Party led by Mahendra Chaudhry
2000 Bankrupt businessman George Speight seizes control, takes PM and Cabinet hostage, declares himself Acting Premier. Ratu Josefa Iloilo appointed President by Great Council of Chiefs.
2001 General Election won by SDL Party led by Laisenia Qarase.
2004 Death of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
2006 Commodore Voreque Bainimara seizes control, declares himself interim Premier, sacks Great Council of Chiefs.
2008 Bainimarama appoints himself Chairman of Great Council of Chiefs; postpones election scheduled for 2009.
2009 President Iloilo sacks all judges, establishes "new legal order" and sets 2014 deadline for election.
President Iloilo retires. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau sworn in as President.
2011 Lt. Col. Uluilakeba Mara is charged with sedition; escapes to Tonga; accuses Bainimarama and regime of torture and failure to advance promised reforms.
Statue of Ratu Sukuna outside Government Buildings, Suva