Fiji - the saga continues
For the last 20 years, it seems, Fiji has been on a gradually increasing spiral of political instability, with several coups. Fortunately, in Fiji, being the laid-back place that it is, these have been largely bloodless. In fact, I would suggest that outside Suva, most people would not have noticed anything going on.
However, this weekend, the aging figurehead President Iloilo fronted the cameras do dismiss the entire judiciary and suspend the constitution. This was apparently in response to the legal system declaring the last coupe of Commodore Frank Bainimarama to be illegal. Iloilo could barely read the words he spoke - making it embarrassingly clear that the speech had been written by him.
Steven Smith (Foreign Minister) has been quick to come out and label this a military dictatorship. DFAT has announced travel warnings for the country. And they is talk of political and economic sanctions being enacted shortly.
Whilst I do not agree with the actions of Bainimarama - particularly in dismissing the judiciary - there is one fact that is often forgotten in this mess. Bainimarama overthrew the government which was installed after the George Speight coup several years ago. This Government was a Fiji Nationalistic government, corrupt to the core and stacked with tribal interests. That Government actively persecuted Indo-Fijians, resulting in many farmers who had been on the land for generations - being forcibly evicted and losing their livelihood. Again, I'm not saying the new coup is necessarily just, but Australia and New Zealand would do better to look beyond the immediate scope of this crisis, and not view this as a power grab in isolation.
Fiji is in a bad state politically. And it saddens me that this country with such great natural riches, could be laid waste as such. Fiji has some of the most fertile land on earth... it already exports its water (which is regularly replenished due to its high rainfall). Mahogany, pine, sugar and root crops also have great export potential. And of course, the tourist industry, which caters for budget travellers right through to ultra-exclusive islands has great potential. With the right government in place, this country could be hugely successful.
Unfortunately, at this time, that government is nowhere to be seen.
However, this weekend, the aging figurehead President Iloilo fronted the cameras do dismiss the entire judiciary and suspend the constitution. This was apparently in response to the legal system declaring the last coupe of Commodore Frank Bainimarama to be illegal. Iloilo could barely read the words he spoke - making it embarrassingly clear that the speech had been written by him.
Steven Smith (Foreign Minister) has been quick to come out and label this a military dictatorship. DFAT has announced travel warnings for the country. And they is talk of political and economic sanctions being enacted shortly.
Whilst I do not agree with the actions of Bainimarama - particularly in dismissing the judiciary - there is one fact that is often forgotten in this mess. Bainimarama overthrew the government which was installed after the George Speight coup several years ago. This Government was a Fiji Nationalistic government, corrupt to the core and stacked with tribal interests. That Government actively persecuted Indo-Fijians, resulting in many farmers who had been on the land for generations - being forcibly evicted and losing their livelihood. Again, I'm not saying the new coup is necessarily just, but Australia and New Zealand would do better to look beyond the immediate scope of this crisis, and not view this as a power grab in isolation.
Fiji is in a bad state politically. And it saddens me that this country with such great natural riches, could be laid waste as such. Fiji has some of the most fertile land on earth... it already exports its water (which is regularly replenished due to its high rainfall). Mahogany, pine, sugar and root crops also have great export potential. And of course, the tourist industry, which caters for budget travellers right through to ultra-exclusive islands has great potential. With the right government in place, this country could be hugely successful.
Unfortunately, at this time, that government is nowhere to be seen.
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