The repressive climate that followed a 2006 coup has eased considerably, with regular democratic elections held beginning in 2014, and respect for civil liberties gradually improving. The 2022 elections were followed by a peaceful transfer of power, ending 16 years of governments headed by 2006 coup leader Frank Bainimarama.

• In May, former Prime Minister Bainimarama and suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were sentenced to one and two years in prison, respectively, for improperly halting a 2020 police investigation into corruption at the University of the South Pacific. Bainimarama was granted an early release in November.
• In July, the registrar of political parties officially deregistered the opposition FijiFirst party, which had ruled prior to 2022, for failing to bring its constitution into compliance with the 2013 Political Parties Act by creating a mechanism for resolving internal disputes. The deregistration, which came in the wake of an attempt by party leadership to dismiss a number of lawmakers for disobedience on a controversial vote to increase parliamentary salaries, meant that all of FijiFirst’s 26 members of Parliament would sit as independents.
• The Supreme Court—first in April and again in June—issued rulings in which the justices cast doubt on the supremacy of the 2013 constitution, as it had been drafted by a small group in the postcoup period without public consultation. Separately in June, the court ruled that John Rabuku, who had been appointed as acting director of public prosecutions in 2023, was ineligible to hold the post due to a previous punishment for professional misconduct; he was replaced in July.
• In October, Parliament elected its speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, to serve as the country’s largely ceremonial president. Having been nominated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, he defeated opposition nominee Ratu Meli Tora Tavaiqia in a 37–16 vote.
• Multiple government officials were under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) during the year. In September, the FICAC’s newly appointed commissioner, Barbara Malimali, was herself arrested after the acting deputy commissioner, Francis Puleiwai, launched an investigation into alleged abuse of office by Malimali at her previous post. The attorney general noted that Puleiwai had sought the commissioner’s position, creating a conflict of interest; she later stepped down as acting deputy commissioner and left the country. A formal inquiry into the matter was pending at year’s end.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.