Timeline of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état

Fiji

This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Fiji
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Part of a series on the
History of Fiji

Early history
Discovery of Fiji The rise and fall of Cakobau Colonial Fiji
Modern history
Dominion of Fiji Constitutional crisis of 1977 Coups of 1987 Military–church relations
Coup of 2000
Timeline Mutinies Aftermath Mara deposed Iloilo plot Investigations Trials Court Martial Military unrest
Proposed Reconciliation Commission
Supporters Opponents Qualified positions Military opposition Religious reaction International reaction
Crisis of 2005–06
Timeline Reaction Unrest in 2006
Coup of 2006
Constitutional crisis of 2009

Timeline (2000-2001)
- May: 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30.
- June: 7, 20.
- July: 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 27.
- November: 2, 15
- March 2001

May 19, 2000

A group led by George Speight takes Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and others hostage in the Parliament building of Fiji in Suva.
Speight names Timoci Silatolu interim Prime Minister.
The President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, denounces the coup, and declares a state of emergency.

The rebels try to break the siege. Gunfire is exchanged.
President Mara dismisses Mahendra Chaudhry and appoints Ratu Tevita Momoedonu as Prime Minister in his place. Momoedonu holds office for only a few minutes: he is appointed in order to "advise" the President to assume emergency powers, something that Chaudhry, in captivity, is unable to do. Mara claims to be following the Great Council of Chiefs. Mara offers Speight a pardon, which Speight rejects. (Mara later accused the Great Council of Chiefs of deception: according to him, they had lost confidence in him also, although that did not become apparent until two days later).

Commodore Frank Bainimarama declares himself head of an Interim Military Government, with the claimed backing of the previous president, and declares martial law. (In an interview on 29 April of the following year, deposed President Mara denied that he had given Bainimarama his support. His resignation had been, he said, extorted from him, following his refusal of their request to abrogate the constitution).

Bainimarama revokes the 1997 constitution and names Ratu Epeli Nailatikau interim Prime Minister. After opposition from Speight, he withdraws the nomination on 31 May.

Rebels overrun the Sukunaivalu Barracks in Labasa, on the northern island of Vanua Levu (see Mutinies of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état)
Gunfire between rebels and military in Suva

Chaudhry and the other hostages are released. Ratu Josefa Iloilo named as interim President. Ratu Jope Seniloli is Vice-President.

Speight is arrested in contravention of an earlier accord granting him immunity from prosecution, an accord agreed to by the military, according to Bainimarama, only "under duress."

A failed mutiny at Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks leaves four loyal soldiers dead. Four rebels are subsequently beaten to death.

The High Court declares the interim government to be illegal, orders the reinstatement of the 1997 Constitution, of Mara as President and of the Chaudhry government. Mara resigns, backdating his resignation to 29 May. The government appeals the ruling.

2000 Fijian coup d'état

Coup and aftermath	Timeline Mutinies Aftermath Investigations since the coup d'état Removal of Ratu Mara Alleged plot against Ratu Iloilo Trials since the coup d'état Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit Court Martial Military unrest since the coup d'état

Related articles	1977 constitutional crisis 1987 coups d'état 2005–2006 political crisis 2006 coup d'état 2009 constitutional crisis

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