Myth of ethnic tension in Fiji

Myth of ethnic tension in Fiji

Eni F.H. Faleomavaega is unwittingly perpetuating a popular myth and misconception when he writes :

" The legacy of Fiji's colonial past has never been fully resolved since Fiji gained its independence in 1970. In the last 20 years, Fiji has had four coups and three constitutions. In the two coups of 1987 and the political crisis of 2000, ethnic tensions played major roles" (source: reproduced in the Fiji Sun 2/2/2012 from The Hill, a US congressional newpaper).

I would contend the reality is rather different.

Despite the accident of colonial history putting two ethnically diverse communities together in Fiji, the reality in that country is that there was no major ethnic turmoil and political power was transferred peacefully at independence in 1970 following the framing of a negotiated constitution. Under that constitution the country enjoyed democratic rule for over 17years.

The first coup took place in May 1987 when the ruling party lost power and tried to regain power through the Rabuka military coup. This first coup and the two subsequent coups of September 1987 and May 2000 were essentially power grabs. Ethnic tension was advanced as a pretext. Ethnic Indians were scapegoated to provide the " ideological justification" for taking power illegally on behalf of the native Fijian people. Taking political power was the real motive of these coups. Ethnic tension was fomented to provide the "right" environment for intervention and takeover.

To accept the " ethnic tension" thesis - as many have wrongly done - is to buy into the propaganda of these coup perpetrators who claimed the ethnic Indians were taking away ethnic Fijians ' "God given land" and were poised to take political control of the country.There is no truth in these claims.

In so far as the 2006 coup ( the 4th coup) is concerned Commodore Frank Bainimarama has publically stated he took control of the government of Fiji because of rampant corruption, state sponsored racism and bad governance by the Qarase government. His coup had nothing to do with ethnic tensions. Some critics of the Bainimarama coup claim his coup too is nothing but a power grab. Time will sort out that claim.

But meantime it is abundantly clear that ethnic tensions did not produce the coups in Fiji. Ethnic Fijians and ethnic Indians were getting along alright in Fiji before the coups - compared to many places in the world and even in our region. And, they continue to do so to this day notwithstanding the four coups and purported claims of " ethnic tensions".

If anthing can be singled out for producing the coups in Fiji it is one thing : Poor Leadership. That' s what needs to be remedied in that country.

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