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{{Cite news |last=Dorney |first=Sean |date=2009-11-03 |title=Fiji expels Australian envoys |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-03/fiji-expels-australian-envoys/1128034 |access-date=2024-05-15 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}
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{{Fijian name|Josaia|Voreqe|Bainimarama}}
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{{Frank Bainimarama series}}
'''Josaia Voreqe''' "'''Frank'''" '''Bainimarama''' {{post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Fiji|CF (MIL)]] [[Order of Saint John (chartered 1888)|OStJ]] [[Fijian honours system|MSD]]}} (<small>Fijian:</small> [[Help:IPA/Fijian|[tʃoˈsɛia βoˈreŋɡe mbɛiniˈmarama]]]; born 27 April 1954) is a [[Fiji
Despite being [[Frank Bainimarama#Suspension from Parliament and conviction|suspended from Parliament]], he served as the [[Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)|opposition leader]] from 24 December 2022<ref>{{cite news |title=Bainimarama elected as Opposition Leader |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-elected-as-Opposition-Leader-fx54r8/ |access-date=25 December 2022 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226015135/https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-elected-as-Opposition-Leader-fx54r8/ |url-status=live }}</ref> until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by [[Inia Seruiratu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/09/inia-seruiratu-to-lead-opposition-to-keep-government-in-check/ |title=Inia Seruiratu To Lead Opposition To 'Keep Government In Check' |publisher=Fiji Sun |author=Fonua Talei |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310084525/https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/09/inia-seruiratu-to-lead-opposition-to-keep-government-in-check/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Bainimarama instigated the [[2006 Fijian coup d'état|2006 coup]], removing Prime Minister [[Laisenia Qarase]] from power. He later restored [[Ratu]] [[Josefa Iloilo]] as [[President of Fiji|president]] and himself as prime minister in 2007. Bainimarama promised the return of elections and democracy in 2014 and formed a party named [[FijiFirst]]. In the [[2014 Fijian general election]], FijiFirst won a majority, and Bainimarama was sworn in as prime minister of Fiji by President [[Epeli Nailatikau]]. In the [[2018 Fijian general election]], FijiFirst won an outright majority, and Bainimarama became prime minister for a second term on 20 November 2018. In the [[2022 Fijian general election]], FijiFirst won a plurality but was unable to form a government, meaning Bainimarama ceased to be prime minister after 16 years of rule, making him the second-longest serving Prime Minister of Fiji after [[Kamisese Mara]]. He was succeeded by the leader of the [[1987 Fijian coups d'état]], [[Sitiveni Rabuka]].
Bainimarama resigned from Parliament and as the leader of the opposition in March 2023.<ref name=FVResign /> The next day, he was charged with abuse of office over allegations he and police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho interfered with an investigation into financial mismanagement at the [[University of the South Pacific]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2024
== Military career ==
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=== Naval career ===
Following his education at [[Marist Brothers High School, Fiji|Marist Brothers High School]], Bainimarama enlisted with the Fijian Navy on 26 July 1975 and rose smoothly through the ranks, becoming an [[Able Seaman (rank)|able seaman]] in August 1976, a [[midshipman]] in December the same year, and an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] on 1 November 1977.<ref name=PIFBio />
After completing the Midshipmen's Supplementary Course in [[Australia]], he was appointed navigation officer of [[HMFS Kiro|HMFS ''Kiro'']] in August 1978. At the end of that year, he was promoted to [[sub-lieutenant]]. In January 1979, Bainimarama embarked on the [[Chile]]an naval training ship, the [[Buque Escuela Esmeralda|Buque Escuela ''Esmeralda'']], which spent six months circumnavigating [[South America]]. On his return to Fiji in August, Bainimarama was appointed executive officer of HMFS ''Kiro''.<ref name=FS2014a>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2014/03/05/strong-military-legacy-of-bainimarama/ |title=Strong military; legacy of Bainimarama |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209123208/https://fijisun.com.fj/2014/03/05/strong-military-legacy-of-bainimarama/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After a brief navigation course in [[HMAS Waterhen (naval base)|HMAS ''Watson'']] in March 1982, Bainimarama underwent search and rescue training at the [[United States Coast Guard]] Centre in [[New York City]].<ref name=FS2014a /> On his return to Fiji, he was appointed commander of HMFS ''Kikau'', his first command post. He went on to command HMFS ''Kula'', and spent four months in 1984 in the markings of the Exclusive Economic Zones of [[Tonga]], [[Tuvalu]], and [[Kiribati]]. After being promoted to [[lieutenant commander]] in February 1986, he departed for [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] where he served for eighteen months with the [[Multinational Force and Observers]].<ref name=FS2014a />
Bainimarama returned to Fiji in September 1987.<ref name=FS2014a /> He took charge of the delivery of two naval ships, the ''Levuka'' and ''Lautoka'', from [[Louisiana]] in the [[United States]]. He became [[commanding officer]] of the Fijian Navy in April 1988, and was promoted to the rank of [[commander]] on 4 October that year. He held this post for the next nine years.<ref name=FS2014a />
Bainimarama underwent further training at the [[Malaysia]]n Armed Forces Staff College in 1991 and at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre at [[RAAF Williamtown]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], [[New South Wales]], where he studied Maritime Surveillance Training. This was followed by Disaster Management training at the [[Asian Institute of Technology]] in 1993, and Exclusive Economic Zone Management training at [[Dalhousie University]], Canada, in 1994. He was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (naval)|captain]] in October of that year, and went on to attend the [[Australian Defence College|Australian Joint Services Staff College]] (JSSC).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/about-us/minister-s-welcome-message/bio-data |title=Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926073520/http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/about-us/minister-s-welcome-message/bio-data |archive-date=26 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He attended the Integrated Logistics Support Overview course of the Australian Defence Co-operation Program on 23 September 1996, and the Chief of Army Conferences in [[Singapore]] in 1998 and 1999, as well as the Chief of Defence Conference in [[Hawaii]].
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=== Post-2000 coup ===
Bainimarama attended a Leadership and Change Management course with the Public Service Training and Development program in February 2002, and a Policy Planning Analysis and Management course at the [[University of the South Pacific]] in [[Suva]] the following month. He went on to attend the Defence and Strategic Studies Annual Conference at the [[Australian Defence College]] in [[Canberra]] on 2 August, and the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at [[Harvard University]] in the [[United States]] from 18 to 30 August. In November that year, he was promoted to [[rear admiral]], but this promotion was reverted to [[Commodore (rank)|commodore]] on 1 February 2003. In 2014, he was made rear admiral again.<ref name=FT2014a />
On 4 September 2003, Bainimarama attended the Pacific Armies Management Seminar XXVII in [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]], and went on to attend the PKO Capacity Building Seminar in the [[Philippines|Philippine]] capital of [[Manila]].
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In late November 2006, Bainimarama handed down a list of demands to Qarase, one of which was the withdrawal of three controversial bills, including the [[Qoliqoli Bill]] (which would have transferred ownership of maritime resources to the [[Fijians|Fijian people]]) and the [[Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill]], which would have offered conditional pardons to persons convicted of involvement in the 2000 coup. Despite further talks in Suva and in [[Wellington]], [[New Zealand]], Bainimarama gave the Prime Minister Qarase an ultimatum of 4 December to accede to his demands or to resign. In a televised address, Qarase agreed to put the three race-based bills on hold, review the appointment of Andrew Hughes as police commissioner (Bainimarama had demanded his dismissal), and give the police the option of discontinuing investigations into the commander's alleged acts of sedition. He refused further concessions, saying that he had conceded all that was possible within the law.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
Military manoeuvres followed, including the seizure of government vehicles and the house arrest of Prime Minister Qarase. On 5 December President [[Ratu]] [[Josefa Iloilo]] was said to have signed a legal order dissolving Parliament after meeting with Bainimarama. The president later issued a statement categorically denying signing any such decree, and the exiled [[Law enforcement in Fiji|Commissioner of Police]], [[Andrew Hughes (police)|Andrew Hughes]], implicated Iloilo's secretary in the fabrication of the decree at the direction of Commander Bainimarama.<ref>{{Cite news |date=
As of 9 December, there were reported arrests of members of the media and open dissenters,<ref name="fijitimes2">{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=53181 |title=Fiji Times contributors warned by army – Fiji Times Online |publisher=Fijitimes.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222015828/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=53181 |archive-date=22 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as incidents of intimidation and violence committed against political figures.<ref name="fijitimes2" />
Bainimarama told a press conference on 15 December that he would agree to attend a forthcoming meeting of the [[Great Council of Chiefs]], the feudal body empowered to choose the country's president, vice-president, and fourteen of the thirty two [[Senate of Fiji|Senators]], only in his capacity as president of the Republic, the [[Fiji Sun]] reported.<ref>[http://www.sun.com.fj/pages/news.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214155333/http://www.sun.com.fj/pages/news.htm|date=14 December 2006}}</ref><ref>[http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_34447.shtml Archived copy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061222181149/http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_34447.shtml|date=22 December 2006}}</ref>
On 6 September 2007, Bainimarama imposed a renewed [[state of emergency]] for one month, alleging that deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his spokesman were spreading lies and attempting to cause destabilisation, following Qarase's return to [[Suva]] after having been confined to the island of [[Vanua Balavu]] since his ouster. Bainimarama said that Qarase and his spokesman should return to Vanuabalavu and that they could "talk from there".<ref name="NZ_Herald_10462047">{{Cite web |date=6 September 2007 |title=Martial law declared in Fiji – again |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10462047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091729/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10462047 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=30 September 2011 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref>
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Bainimarama became acting [[Minister of Economy (Fiji)|Minister of Finance]] on 18 August 2008 after Chaudhry and the other Labour Party ministers withdrew from the interim government.<ref name="Takes">[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVfzwvtGNEnve0gRMD-SJMw_jv5w "Fiji's military leader takes over country's finances"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230093437/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVfzwvtGNEnve0gRMD-SJMw_jv5w|date=30 December 2012}}, AFP, 18 August 2008.</ref>
==== Explaining the coup ====
The immediate cause of the military coup was Prime Minister Qarase's refusal to withdraw the Qoliqoli Bill. Bainimarama stated that his main reasons for overthrowing the Qarase government were that it was corrupt, and that it was conducting racially discriminatory policies against the country's [[Indians in Fiji|Indo-Fijian]] minority. In a speech publicly announcing the coup, he stated that Qarase's policies had "divided the nation now and will have very serious consequences to our future generations". He added that "the passing of the Reconciliation, Qoliqoli and Land Claims [Bills] will undermine the Constitution, will deprive many citizens of their rights as guaranteed under the Constitution and compromise and undermine the integrity of the Constitutional Offices including the Judiciary". He explained that he would amend the race-based electoral rolls, so as to "lead us into peace and prosperity and mend the ever widening racial divide that currently besets our multicultural nation".<ref>[http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_8092.shtml "Commander RFMF – Public Declaration of Military Takeover"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915235544/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_8092.shtml |date=15 September 2009 }}, Fiji government, 5 December 2006</ref>
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</blockquote>
Davis noted that Bainimarama had introduced greater ethnic diversity into senior positions, and suggested that "maybe that's what drives Bainimarama most of all; the notion, however quixotic, of a [[multiracialism|multiracial]] [[meritocracy]] belatedly fulfilling the great promise Fiji had in its early post-independence years, when a visiting pope [[John Paul II]] famously described it as a model for the developing world. Before the greed, the racism and the gun."<ref name="Despot for diversity" />
=== 2009 constitutional crisis ===
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President Iloilo then announced that he had abolished the constitution, assumed all governing power and revoked all judicial appointments. He reappointed Commodore Frank Bainimarama as prime minister only 24 hours later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-04-11-voa13-68732767/357709.html |title=Fiji's President Reappoints Bainimarama as Prime Minister |publisher=VOA News |date=2 November 2009 |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209121359/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-04-11-voa13-68732767/357709.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 April, the president made him [[Companion of the Order of Fiji]] in recognition of his "eminent achievement and merit of highest degree and service to Fiji and to humanity at large".<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25379725-5005961,00.html "Frank Bainimarama receives Companion of the Order of Fiji from President"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227070839/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25379725-5005961,00.html |date=27 December 2022 }}, Agence France Presse, 24 April 2009</ref>
On 3 November 2009, Bainimarama banished the envoys of Australia and New Zealand giving them 24 hours to leave the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorney |first=Sean |date=2009-11-03 |title=Fiji expels Australian envoys |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-03/fiji-expels-australian-envoys/1128034 |access-date=2024-05-15 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
=== Essential National Industries Decree ===
{{
In September 2011, the Bainimarama government introduced a [[Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree 2011|decree]] severely curtailing [[labour rights]], so as to "ensure the present and continued viability and sustainability of essential national industries". In particular, the decree banned strikes in all but exceptional circumstances, subjecting them in addition to government authorization on a case-by-case basis. It also curtailed the right for workers to take their grievances to courts of law.<ref>[http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=337&Itemid=158 Decree No.35 2011 – Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331200504/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=337&Itemid=158 |date=31 March 2012 }}, Fiji government</ref> The [[Fiji Trades Union Congress]] said the decree "offers major weapons to the employers to utilize against unions [...] It outlaws professional trade unionists, eliminates existing collective agreements, promotes a biased system of non-professional bargaining agents to represent workers, severely restricts industrial action, strengthens sanctions against legally striking workers and bans overtime payments and other allowances for workers in 24-hour operations". [[Attar Singh]], general secretary for the [[Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions]], said: "We have never seen anything worse than this decree. It is without doubt designed to decimate unions [...] by giving [employers] an unfair advantage over workers and unions".<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/fiji_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=19861/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl "Union/govt face off: Decree deepens division"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115161807/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/fiji_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace%3DMiddleMiddle/focusModuleID%3D19861/overideSkinName%3DissueArticle-full.tpl |date=15 November 2011 }}, ''[[Islands Business]]''</ref> [[Amnesty International]] said the decree threatened "fundamental human rights [...], including the right to [[freedom of association]] and [[freedom of assembly|assembly]], and the right to organize".<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa18/003/2011/en/ "Warning on Fiji government plan to severely restrict workers' rights"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808182401/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa18/003/2011/en/ |date=8 August 2022 }}, Amnesty International, 8 August 2011</ref>
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He has been described by some as a [[dictator]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://theconversation.com/amp/how-fijian-dictator-bainimarama-finally-earned-his-mandate-31856| title=How Fijian dictator Bainimarama finally earned his mandate| date=18 September 2014| access-date=18 October 2022| archive-date=18 October 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018211822/https://theconversation.com/amp/how-fijian-dictator-bainimarama-finally-earned-his-mandate-31856| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/won-dictator-the-2014-general-elections-in-the-republic-fiji|title=Won by a Dictator? The 2014 General Elections in the Republic of Fiji|date=14 January 2015|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018211827/https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/won-dictator-the-2014-general-elections-in-the-republic-fiji|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fiji's Dictator. Frank Bainimarama's Truth Revealed|url=https://www.truthforfiji.com/uploads/8/4/2/3/8423704/fijis_dictator_frank_bainimarama_revealed.pdf|work=Truth for Fiji|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128201635/http://www.truthforfiji.com/uploads/8/4/2/3/8423704/fijis_dictator_frank_bainimarama_revealed.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> or an [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]],<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1108/OXAN-ES239981|title=Fiji election renews semi-authoritarian rule|date=1 January 2018|journal=Emerald Expert Briefings|volume=oxan-es|issue=oxan-es|accessdate=6 February 2023|via=Emerald Insight|doi=10.1108/OXAN-ES239981|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509151336/https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OXAN-ES239981/full/html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/is-fijian-style-authoritarianism-spreading/6662582|title=Is Fijian-style authoritarianism spreading?|date=30 July 2015|website=ABC Pacific|accessdate=6 February 2023|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022002451/https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/is-fijian-style-authoritarianism-spreading/6662582|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asiapacificreport.nz/2022/12/22/writing-on-the-wall-for-authoritarian-fijifirst-government-says-ratuva/ |title='Writing on the wall' for authoritarian FijiFirst government, says Ratuva |date=22 December 2022 |publisher=Asia Pacific Report |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113013036/https://asiapacificreport.nz/2022/12/22/writing-on-the-wall-for-authoritarian-fijifirst-government-says-ratuva/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although he denies these claims.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=lLYLUwTVmhw |title=Fiji's Prime Minister Insists That He is Not a Dictator |agency=Asia Pacific Report |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018211819/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLYLUwTVmhw |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Suspension from Parliament and conviction ===
On 17 February 2023, Bainimarama was suspended from parliament for three years after making disparaging references to President Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, as well as making treasonous comments in breach of standing orders.<ref name="suspension">{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-suspended-from-parliament-for-3-years-5fx48r/ |title=Bainimarama suspended from parliament for 3 years |publisher=Fiji Village |date=17 February 2023 |access-date=17 February 2023 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217112926/https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-suspended-from-parliament-for-3-years-5fx48r/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He remained the opposition leader.<ref name="remain">{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/bainimarama-remains-as-leader-of-the-opposition/ |title='Bainimarama remains as Leader of the Opposition' |publisher=Fiji Times |date=19 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226013224/https://www.fijitimes.com/bainimarama-remains-as-leader-of-the-opposition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 8 March 2023 Bainimarama resigned from Parliament and as leader of the opposition.<ref name=FVResign>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-resigns-from-Parliament-54rf8x/ |title=Bainimarama resigns from Parliament |publisher=Fiji Village |date=8 March 2023 |access-date=8 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308010634/https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-resigns-from-Parliament-54rf8x/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/suspended-bainimarama-resigns-from-parliament/ |title=Suspended Bainimarama resigns from Parliament |publisher=Fiji Times |date=8 March 2023 |access-date=8 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308014638/https://www.fijitimes.com/suspended-bainimarama-resigns-from-parliament/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 9 March 2023 Bainimarama was charged with abuse of office over allegations he and police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho interfered with an investigation into financial mismanagement at the [[University of the South Pacific]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-09/former-fiji-prime-minister-frank-bainimarama-charged/102069086 |title=Fiji police charge former prime minister Frank Bainimarama with abuse of office |publisher=ABC News |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309052516/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-09/former-fiji-prime-minister-frank-bainimarama-charged/102069086 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/485654/former-fiji-pm-bainimarama-and-suspended-top-cop-charged |title=Former Fiji PM Bainimarama and suspended top cop charged |publisher=RNZ |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309063527/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/485654/former-fiji-pm-bainimarama-and-suspended-top-cop-charged |url-status=live }}</ref> The two were released on [[bail]] the next day after pleading not guilty.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/10/bainimarama-and-qiliho-released-on-bail/ |title=Bainimarama And Qiliho Released On Bail |publisher=Fiji Sun |author=Ashna Kumar |date=10 March 2023 |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310083109/https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/10/bainimarama-and-qiliho-released-on-bail/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/10/qiliho-and-bainimarama-pleads-not-guilty/ |title=Qiliho And Bainimarama Pleads Not Guilty |publisher=Fiji Sun |author=Ashna Kumar |date=10 March 2023 |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310032212/https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/10/qiliho-and-bainimarama-pleads-not-guilty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bainimarama and Qiliho were acquitted on 12 October 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vucukula |first=Elena |title=Court frees Bainimarama, Qiliho of all charges |work=The Fiji Times |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/court-frees-bainimarama-qiliho-of-all-charges/ |date=12 October 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023 |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014015209/https://www.fijitimes.com/court-frees-bainimarama-qiliho-of-all-charges/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 March 2024 the [[High Court of Fiji]] overturned the acquittal and convicted Bainimarama of attempting to pervert the course of justice and Qiliho of abuse of office.<ref name=RNZ2024a>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/511711/fiji-chief-justice-overturns-not-guilty-verdict-in-frank-bainimarama-and-sitiveni-qiliho-case |title=Fiji chief justice overturns not guilty verdict in Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho case |publisher=RNZ |date=14 March 2024 |access-date=14 March 2024 |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314035444/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/511711/fiji-chief-justice-overturns-not-guilty-verdict-in-frank-bainimarama-and-sitiveni-qiliho-case |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 May 2024, he was sentenced to a year in jail.<ref name=FVJailed />
== Cabinet ==
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== Personal life ==
Bainimarama hails from the village of Kiuva in the Kaba Peninsula, [[Tailevu Province]]. He is the brother of [[Ratu]] [[Meli Bainimarama]] and [[Ratu]] Timoci Bainimarama, both senior civil servants. He was [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]-educated<ref name="fijitimes1">{{cite web |url= http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=99006 |title= Catholics support Methodists – Fiji Times Online |publisher= Fijitimes.com |access-date= 13 November 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080914064258/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=99006 |archive-date= 14 September 2008 |url-status= dead }}</ref> and graduated from [[Marist Brothers High School, Fiji|Marist Brothers High School]] in Suva. He is married to Maria Makitalena; they have six children and several grandchildren.
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}}</ref> In January 2022, he underwent heart surgery in Melbourne, Australia. During his recovery, [[Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum]] was named Acting Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noble |first1=Phil |date=12 February 2022 |title=Fiji Leader Bainimarama A No-show For Visit By Top US Diplomat |work=Barrons |agency=AFP-Agence France Presse |url=https://www.barrons.com/amp/news/fiji-leader-bainimarama-a-no-show-for-visit-by-top-us-diplomat-01644642609 |access-date=14 February 2022 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201010403/https://www.barrons.com/amp/news/fiji-leader-bainimarama-a-no-show-for-visit-by-top-us-diplomat-01644642609 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anthony |first1=Kelvin |date=7 February 2022 |title=Fiji's PM needs 'time to recuperate' says govt |language=en-nz |work=Radio New Zealand |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/461003/fiji-s-pm-needs-time-to-recuperate-says-govt |access-date=14 February 2022 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201010359/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/461003/fiji-s-pm-needs-time-to-recuperate-says-govt |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to Fiji in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anthony |first1=Kelvin |title=Bainimarama returns to Fiji after heart surgery |work=Radio New Zealand |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/462562/bainimarama-returns-to-fiji-after-heart-surgery |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201010353/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/462562/bainimarama-returns-to-fiji-after-heart-surgery |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|Politics}}
* [[Qoliqoli Bill]]
* [[People's Charter for Change and Progress]]
* [[List of foreign ministers in 2017]]
* [[List of current foreign ministers]]
* [[Office of the Prime Minister (Fiji)|Office of the Prime Minister]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q57830|c=Category:Frank Bainimarama|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no}}
*[http://www.rfmf.mil.fj/ Republic of Fiji Military Forces website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090915235544/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_8092.shtml Bainimarama's speech, 5 December 2006: the stated reasons for the coup]
*[https://www.un.org/webcast/ga/62/2007/pdfs/fiji-en.pdf Commodore Bainimarama's address to the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly], 28 September 2007 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110521102942/http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/ga/62/2007/ga070928am2.rm?start=00:00:01&end=00:22:26 video])
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