List of heads of state of Fiji

Politics of Fiji

Tui Viti (King of Fiji) (1871 to 1874)

*Seru Epenisa Cakobau : 5 June 1871 - 10 October 1874 (ceded Fiji to the United Kingdom)

"Note that Cakobau had been the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau since 1852. He had long styled himself the Tui Viti (King of Fiji), but had not been recognized as such by other chiefs, and he exercised no direct authority outside his domain of Bau until he united the country under his leadership in 1871. His ancestors, going back as far as 1770, have often - erroneously - been listed as "Kings" of Fiji."

British and later Commonwealth Monarch (1874 to 1987)

From 1874 to 1970, the British Monarch was Fiji's formal Head of State. In 1970, Fiji became an independent Dominion, in the Commonwealth, whereas Queen Elizabeth II, took on the roll of "Queen of Fiji".

#Victoria : 1874 - 1901
#Edward VII : 1901 - 1910
#George V : 1910 - 1936
#Edward VIII : 1936
#George VI : 1936 - 1952
#Elizabeth II : 1952 - October 10 1970
#Elizabeth II "held the title of "Queen of Fiji : October 10 1970 - 15 October 1987†

†Abdicated following military coup and proclamation of Republic.

Colonial Governors (1874-1970)

Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970. Although the British Monarch was the Head of State, in practice his or her functions were exercised in Fiji by the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.

Governors-General (1970-1987)

Fiji became an independent Dominion within the Commonwealth on October 10 1970. The office of "Governor" was renamed "Governor-General;" the only change of function was that the Governor-General acted on the advice of the "Fijian," rather than the British, government.

Presidents (since 1987)

Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an interim administration, exercising the powers of the presidency but without taking the title, styling himself Head of the Interim Military Government instead. On 5 December that year, the last Governor General, "Ratu Sir" Penaia Ganilau, was appointed the first President.

In the constitutional upheaval of 2000, following the forced resignation of President "Ratu Sir" Kamisese Mara on 29 May, Commodore Frank Bainimarama styled himself Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until "Ratu" Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July 2000. On 5 December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama deposed the Fijian Government and President "Ratu" Josefa Iloilo and again become Head of the Interim Military Government. On 4 January 2007 "Ratu" Josefa Iloilo was restored to presidency.

Head of the Interim Military Government (1987)

*Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka : 7 October 1987 - 5 December 1987

Presidents (1987-2000)

1. Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau : 5 December 1987 - 15 December 1993 (died in office)
2. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara : 16 December 1993 - 29 May 2000 (deposed)

Head of the Interim Military Government (2000)

*Commodore Frank Bainimarama : 29 May 2000 - 13 July 2000

President (2000-2006)

3. Ratu Josefa Iloilo : 13 July 2000 - 5 December 2006 (deposed)

Head of the Interim Military Government (2006-2007)

*Commodore Frank Bainimarama : 5 December 2006 - 4 January 2007

President (2007-present)

3. Ratu Josefa Iloilo : 4 January 2007 - present