Removal of Ratu Mara, 2000

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History of Fiji This article is part of a series Early history Discovery of Fiji The rise and fall of Cakobau Colonial Fiji Modern history 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 Reconciliation Commission Supporters · Opponents Qualified positions · Military opposition Religious reaction · Foreign reaction Crisis of 2005–2006 Timeline · Reaction Baledrokadroka incident Coup of 2006 2009 Fijian constitutional crisis Fiji Portal v · d · e

On May 21, 2003, the Police Investigations Department confirmed that they had opened an investigation into the resignation of the Fiji's former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Mara resigned under duress on May 29, 2000, and handed power over to Commodore Frank Bainimarama. In what policians have called a "coup within a coup," Ratu Mara was whisked away on a warship on May 28, where he was allegedly approached by a group of present and former military and police officers who ordered him to suspend the Constitution. When he refused, ("If the Constitution goes, I go," he defiantly declared) the group, including Bainimarama, former Prime Minister and 1987 Coup Leader Sitiveni Rabuka, former military commander Ratu Epeli Ganilau (a son-in-law of Mara's), and former Police Commissioner Isikia Savua, are said to have forced Mara's resignation. He was subsequently taken to his home island in the Lau Islands.

Mahendra Chaudhry, the deposed Prime Minister, has publicly supported Mara's version of events, and has further alleged that Mara was blackmailed with a threat to kill his daughter, Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, who was one of the hostages. Another of Mara's daughters, Adi Ateca Ganilau, however, has said that her father involuntarily chose to resign rather than give in to the demands of the military that he abrogate the constitution, and that he was later offered reinstatement but refused it because he was upset that the constitution had been overturned. Commodore Bainimarama has defended his role in the incident saying Ratu Mara was "an old fool" and his removal was "necessary" at the time. Chaudhry, for his part, has claimed that Ilisoni Ligairi, Speight's security chief, told him that Savua and former Prime Minister Rabuka were involved in the planning of the coup. "Ligairi can't lie as he was very much involved and is now awaiting trial at Nukulau Island," Chaudhry said.

The military regime that took over appointed the current President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo. After the coup had been quashed, the High Court ruled on 15 October 2000 that Mara's replacement was unconstitutional and ordered his reinstatement, but Mara decided to spare the country further constitutional trauma by resigning officially, with his resignation retroactive to May 29, 2000.

Police declared in 2003 that they were facing "many challenges" in their investigation, finding many officers uncooperative. Then on 30 April 2004, Police spokesman Mesake Koroi, said that a lot of "hearsay and rumours" were going around that would not stand up in court. Many witnesses were refusing to talk. "Unfortunately we are hitting a brick wall in our investigations at the moment," Koroi said. Commissioner Hughes revealed on 5 January 2006 that this investigation was legally complex and was being hampered by the lack of cooperation of various witnesses.

See also

• Fiji coup of 2000:Timeline
• Fiji coup of 2000:Mutinies
• Fiji coup of 2000:Aftermath
• Fiji coup of 2000:Investigations
• Fiji coup of 2000:Removal of Ratu Mara
• Fiji coup of 2000:Alleged plot against Ratu Iloilo
• Fiji coup of 2000:Allegations
• Fiji coup of 2000:Trials
• Fiji coup of 2000:Court Martial
• Fiji coup of 2000:Subsequent military unrest
• M. Osman Siddique, US Ambassador to Fiji in 2000