Fiji PM Apologises To Indian Fijians For 1987 Coup That Hurt The Community

Fiji's PM, Sitiveni Rabuka, has apologised for leading the 1987 coup overthrowing then PM Timoci Bavadra, the first Indo-Fijian leader.

“I make this confession on my own behalf and on behalf of all those who took part with me in the military coup on the 14th of May, 1987. We confess our wrongdoings, and we confess that we have hurt so many of our people in Fiji, particularly those of the Indo-Fijian community of the time and among them sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of those who were indentured as labourers from India between 1879 and 1916,” Rabuka said in the country’s capital, Suva, on 14 May.

The fear of indigenous Fijians losing political power to economically dominant Indo-Fijians drove this first of several military coups in Fiji.

Rabuka's action impacted Fiji and its relationship with India, bringing about long-term consequences.

The coup had occurred just over a month after the National Federation Party-Labour Party alliance won the election.

The victory had led to the creation of a cabinet led by ethnic Indians, marking the first time since Fiji gained independence from Britain in 1970.

Lt Col Rabuka declared the formation of a new constitution a day after his takeover. The constitution would prevent an Indian-dominated government. He argued that he was only representing the Fijians' interests.

On 19 May 1987, riots occurred in Fiji that targeted Indians and Indian-owned shops. At least 50 Indians were injured in the attacks.

After an interim government arrangement was made in July, Rabuka staged a second coup on 25 September that year, declaring Fiji a republic and proclaiming himself head of the state, replacing the Queen.

The international community condemned his actions, and India imposed trade sanctions on Fiji, leaving the country isolated.

Rabuka resigned under pressure as head of state on 6 December 1987.

The recent apology made by Rabuka, who served as PM in 1992 and then again last year, for the 1987 coups was not his first.

In 2008, on the twenty-first anniversary of the takeover, Rabuka publicly admitted that he was wrong and the coup was a mistake. He said staging a coup is not a heroic act and no one should be proud of it.