Isabella Carter
Fiji has had a complex political history, with several coups and changes in government. The country's first constitution was adopted in 1966, and Fiji became an independent country in 1970. The Kingdom of Fiji, also known as the Kingdom of Viti, was a short-lived monarchy that existed from 1871 to 1874, with Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau as King. In 1874, Cakobau ceded sovereignty of the islands to Britain, and Fiji became a crown colony within the British Empire. After nearly a century of British rule, Fiji became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji and head of state. In 1987, following two military coups, Fiji became a republic, and the monarchy was abolished. Today, Fiji is governed under a constitution adopted in 2013, and the country is a parliamentary democracy with a prime minister as the head of government. While the Queen and the royal family are still held in high regard by the Fijian people, the country remains a republic within the Commonwealth.
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What You'll Learn
Fiji's history as a constitutional monarchy
This short-lived monarchy, known as the Kingdom of Fiji or the Kingdom of Viti, lasted until 1874. During this time, Thurston approached the British government at Cakobau's request, offering to cede the islands. Two British commissioners were sent to investigate, but power struggles between Cakobau and his rival, Ma'afu, complicated the process. Finally, on 23 September 1874, Cakobau agreed to renounce his Tui Viti title, and on 10 October, he and other senior chiefs signed the Deed of Cession, establishing the Colony of Fiji. This deed also guaranteed Fijian land rights, which would later be protected by the 1966 constitution.
Fiji remained a crown colony within the British Empire for nearly a century. During this time, legislative representatives were elected from Indian and Fijian communal rolls and cross-voting rolls, which presented candidates as members of their ethnic constituencies who were then elected by voters of all ethnicities. Despite "race riots" during by-elections in 1968, Fiji achieved independence in a spirit of cooperation on 10 October 1970, becoming a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji and head of state. The official title of the country was the Dominion of Fiji, and it was a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1987, two military coups led by Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka overthrew the government, and Fiji became a republic. Despite this, the Great Council of Chiefs continued to recognise Elizabeth II as Tui Viti, or the traditional Queen of Fiji, a position that was not constitutional or legal in nature. In 1997, Rabuka, by then the Prime Minister of Fiji, met with Queen Elizabeth II and presented her with a traditional sign of respect and apology for breaking his oath of allegiance. Fiji has had a complex relationship with the idea of constitutional monarchy, with some sporadic public debates on whether to return to the monarchy and a 2009 high court ruling that the interim government was illegal.
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The Kingdom of Fiji
Fiji is currently a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. However, it was once a monarchy, known as the Kingdom of Fiji or the Kingdom of Viti. This short-lived monarchy existed from 1871 to 1874, with Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau as King. Cakobau was the Paramount Chief of the island of Bau and controlled most of the eastern parts of the Fijian Islands. He offered to cede the islands to the British government in 1872, and in 1874, he signed the Deed of Cession, granting the British Empire sovereignty over the islands. This marked the end of the Kingdom of Fiji and the beginning of British colonial rule.
The history of Fiji's monarchy is intriguing, and its impact on the country's political landscape has been significant. The Kingdom of Fiji was the first unified Fijian state, covering all of modern Fiji except the island of Rotuma. Cakobau's consolidation of power and his declaration as king met with opposition from other chiefs, who saw him as an equal. However, with the persuasion of the British honorary consul, John Bates Thurston, the Fijian chiefs accepted a constitutional monarchy in 1871, with Cakobau as the figurehead monarch while the real power rested with a cabinet and legislature dominated by Australian settlers.
Fiji gained its independence from Britain and became a Commonwealth realm in 1970, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Despite this, the country experienced political turmoil, with military coups occurring in 1987, 2000, and 2006. These coups disrupted the democratic process and led to constitutional changes. During this period, there were debates and efforts to restore the monarchy in Fiji, with some recognising Elizabeth II as the traditional Queen or paramount chief, even though it conferred no constitutional power.
Fiji's current constitution was promulgated in 2013, establishing a unicameral 50-member Parliament with members elected by proportional representation. The country's political landscape reflects its multicultural society, with various registered political parties. While Fiji has experienced a tumultuous political history, it continues to evolve and navigate the complexities of governance, striving for stability and representation for its diverse population.
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Fiji's independence in 1970
However, the kingdom was short-lived, and in 1872, facing economic and social unrest, Cakobau approached the British government through the British honorary consul, John Bates Thurston, with an offer to cede the islands. This offer was accepted by the British in March 1874, and the Colony of Fiji was established, lasting for almost a century.
In the years leading up to 1970, Fiji negotiated with the British for independence. A series of compromises led to the establishment of a cabinet system of government in 1967, with Ratu Kamisese Mara as the first Chief Minister. Ongoing negotiations between Mara and the National Federation Party led by Sidiq Koya resulted in a second constitutional conference in London in April 1970. At this conference, Fiji's Legislative Council agreed on a compromise electoral formula and a timetable for independence as a fully sovereign and independent nation within the Commonwealth.
Finally, on 9 October 1970, the Union Jack was lowered for the last time in the capital, Suva, and the Fijian flag was raised at dawn on 10 October 1970, marking the official independence of Fiji. The country became a fully independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen. Fiji's independence was accompanied by democratic rule and a bicameral Parliament, consisting of a Senate dominated by Fijian chiefs and a popularly elected House of Representatives, ensuring representation for all communities in the country.
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The Fijian constitution
Fiji is a constitutional monarchy, and its current constitution, the supreme law of the country, was adopted in 2013. The constitution outlines the framework for the conduct of the government and all Fijians. It is enforced through the courts and cannot be abrogated or suspended.
The current constitution, promulgated in 2013, establishes a unicameral 50-member Parliament with members elected through proportional representation. It ensures that all citizens of Fiji are known as Fijians, guaranteeing their equal status and identity, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. The constitution also recognises the rights of indigenous people, including the iTaukei and Rotuman, and their ownership of traditional lands, cultures, customs, traditions, and languages. Additionally, it acknowledges the descendants of indentured labourers and settlers, emphasising their equal citizenship.
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Fiji's current status as a republic
Fiji is currently a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. It has had this status since 1987, when two military coups led by Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka overthrew the government. The first coup took place in April 1987, when the Indian-dominated National Federation Party joined in coalition with the new Labour Party, which had strong support from Fijian and Indian trade unionists. The new government had a majority of Indian members in the legislature, which was greeted with widespread Fijian protest. After only a few weeks, the new government's leaders were arrested and deposed in the coup d'état. The second coup took place in September 1987, when Rabuka abolished the monarchy, made Fiji a republic, and declared himself the head of state.
Fiji's current constitution was adopted in 2013, and it calls for a unicameral 50-member Parliament whose members are elected by proportional representation. The number of seats may increase or decrease in proportion to the size of the country's population. Members are elected to four-year terms by universal adult (18 years and older) suffrage. The head of government is the prime minister, who is the leader of the majority party in the national legislature. The head of state is the president, who serves a maximum of two terms of three years each and is appointed by Parliament.
Fiji's first constitution was promulgated in 1966, four years before it achieved independence from Great Britain. Until 1987, Fiji was a dominion, a member of the Commonwealth, and a parliamentary democracy with a government led by an elected president. The 1966 constitution represented a compromise between the principles of parliamentary democracy and the ethnic divisions within the country. The franchise, previously exercised by Europeans and some Indians, was extended to adults of all ethnic backgrounds, including Fijians, who until then had been represented by their chiefs.
Despite Fiji's status as a republic, the Great Council of Chiefs continued to recognise Elizabeth II as Tui Viti, or the traditional Queen of Fiji. The Council debated Elizabeth II's role as "supreme tribal chief" and sovereign of Fiji in 1988, and the Chairman, Epeli Ganilau, reiterated in 2002 that Elizabeth II was still the traditional queen, or paramount chief, of Fiji. The motto of the republic remains "fear God and honour the king" or (Fijian: Rere vaka na kalou ka doka na Tui), which was adopted by Cakobau in 1871.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Fiji is not a constitutional monarchy. It is a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.
Yes, Fiji was a constitutional monarchy from 1871 to 1874, with Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau as King. In 1874, Cakobau ceded sovereignty of the islands to Britain, making Fiji a crown colony within the British Empire.
Yes, there have been sporadic public debates on whether to return to a constitutional monarchy. During his premiership, Bainimarama expressed a desire to restore the monarchy in Fiji.
