Fiji Coup of 2000

This is a timeline of the coup in Fiji in 2000.

Table of contents

1 May 19, 2000
2 May 20, 2000
3 May 27, 2000
4 May 29, 2000
5 June 7, 2000
6 June 20, 2000
7 July 4, 2000
8 July 6, 2000
9 July 7, 2000
10 July 9, 2000
11 July 12, 2000
12 July 13, 2000
13 July 27, 2000
14 November 2000

May 19, 2000

A group led by George Speight takes Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudry and others hostage in the Parliament building of Fiji in Suva.
Speight names Timoci Silatolu interim Prime Minister.
The President Kamisese Mara, denounces the coup, and declares a state of emergency.

May 20, 2000

The military and police pledge loyalty to Mara.

Fifteen soldiers and two officers defect to the coup.

May 27, 2000

The rebels try and break the siege. Gunfire is exchanged.
Mahendra Chaudhry sacked as Prime Minister by the President, upon the order of the Great Council of Chiefs, and offers Speight a pardon. The offer is rejected.

May 29, 2000

Commodore Frank Bainimarama declares himself President of Fiji, with the backing of the previous president, and declares martial law. Epeli Nailatikau is named interim Prime Minister.

June 7, 2000

Fiji is suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations.

June 20, 2000

Speight rejects an ultimatum demanding he signs an accord.

July 4, 2000

Laisenia Qarase made interim Prime Minister.

July 6, 2000

Rebels cut off Suva's power supply.

July 7, 2000

Rebels overrun an army based on Vanua Levy

Gunfire between rebels and military in Suva

July 9, 2000

Speight and the military sign an accord.
There is rioting in Levuka

July 12, 2000

Speight's group release 9 hostages.

July 13, 2000

Chaudry and the other hostages are released. Josefa Iloilo named as interim President. Jope Seniloli is vice President.

July 27, 2000

Speight is arrested.

November 2000

A Fijian court rules that the Iloilo government is illegal, and that Mahendra Chaudry is still Prime Minister.