LawFuel – The Law Newswire – Fiji’s military said a state of emergency declared Sept. 6 after ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase returned from nine months in exile will end next week as the threat to security has passed, Bloombergs report.
“We have had no problems from Qarase and Fiji is stable,” Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, chief of land forces, said in an interview from the capital, Suva, today. “So there’s no reason to keep the regulation going past its 30-day duration.”
Military chief Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama declared the state of emergency, Fiji’s second in nine months, to prevent public statements or rallies by Qarase and his supporters.
Bainimarama has controlled the Pacific Island nation since overthrowing Qarase’s government in a coup in December. The coup, supported by Fiji’s 3,500-strong army, was condemned by the U.S. and the European Union. Australia and New Zealand cut sporting and defense ties and re-directed all development assistance through non-government organizations.
