Fiji’s military ordered in following disputed elections

• Fiji’s military has been called in to help preserve peace.
• Longtime PM Frank Bainimarama acknowledged the move.
• It cited unfounded fears of post-vote ethnic unrest.

Fiji’s military has been called in to help preserve peace and order after last week’s disputed election.

Longtime PM Frank Bainimarama acknowledged the move on Thursday, citing unfounded fears of post-vote ethnic unrest.

Bainimarama has refused to concede, despite Sitiveni Rabuka’s Political Alliance and two other parties stating they have the numbers to form a coalition and the next administration.

Bainimarama’s first public words following the December 14 election were, “We will fulfill our commitment to every Fijian’s safety.”

“Reports of harassment and violence against Indo-Fijians after the election are profoundly distressing,” he stated on Facebook.

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said the decision was made after police and military authorities met with Bainimarama.

Minority groups “live in fear after recent political developments,” Qiliho said.

Mahendra Chaudhry, the country’s first Indo-Fijian prime minister, dismissed these accusations.

People are calm and waiting for the president to call parliament to elect a prime minister, he said.

The Pacific nation has had four coups in 35 years.

Bainimarama has been in power for 16 years after a military coup and refashioning himself as a democratic leader, creating a new constitution and winning 2014 and 2018 elections.

Rabuka led Fiji’s first military takeover in 1987 and was dismissed at the polls in 1999.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fiji First’s general-secretary and attorney general, said Bainimarama will stay prime minister until legislators return to parliament in two weeks to vote on the future leader.

Sayed-Khaiyum questioned the voting that resulted to one party joining Rabuka’s coalition. He accused Rabuka of dividing Fiji.

Sayed-Khaiyum: “This man wants to partition Fiji for political dominance.” “That’s simmering again. Actually, it’s boiling.”

Rabuka and two other party leaders said they’d form the next government with 29 seats against Fiji First’s 26.

After the election, Bainimarama and Rabuka deadlocked. Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party won 21 seats, Bainimarama’s Fiji First party won 26.

The three-seat Social Democratic Liberal Party held the balance of power. Fiji First is questioning the party’s 16-14 vote on Rabuka on Tuesday.

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