List of heads of state of Fiji

Fiji

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Fiji

Government Executive President (List) Epeli Nailatikau Vice-President Vacant Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama Cabinet Attorney-General Leader of the Opposition Legislative Parliament Senate House of Representatives Speaker Vacant Local government Municipal elections (2002, 2005) Former/informal institutions Monarchy Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council Legislative Council Constitution Preamble 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Great Council of Chiefs Chairman, G.C.C. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Political parties Electoral system Voting Constituencies Open Communal National Elections Parliamentary (2006, 2014) Presidential (2006) Foreign relations Diplomatic missions

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Tui Viti (King of Fiji) (1871–1874)

Main article: Tui Viti

• Seru Epenisa Cakobau (5 June 1871 - 10 October 1874) (ceded Fiji to the United Kingdom)

Note that Cakobau had been the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau since 1852. He had long styled himself the Tui Viti (King of Fiji), but had not been recognized as such by other chiefs, and he exercised no direct authority outside his domain of Bau until he united the country under his leadership in 1871. His ancestors, going back as far as 1770, have often - erroneously - been listed as "Kings" of Fiji.

Commonwealth Realm(1970–1987)

Main article: Monarchy of Fiji

From 1970 to 1987, the British Monarch was Fiji's formal Head of State. In 1970, Fiji became an independent Dominion, in the Commonwealth, whereas Queen Elizabeth II, took on the role of Queen of Fiji. Fiji became a republic following a coup-d'etat in 1987.

• Elizabeth II held the title of Queen of Fiji (10 October 1970 - 6 October 1987)†

†Ousted following military coup and proclamation of Republic.

Colonial Governors (1874–1970)

Main article: List of Governors of Fiji

Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970. The administration of Fiji fell to the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.

Governors-General (1970–1987)

Main article: List of Governors-General of Fiji

Fiji became a commonwealth realm within the Commonwealth on October 10 1970. The office of Governor was renamed Governor-General; the only change of function was that the Governor-General acted on the advice of the Fijian, rather than the British, government.

Presidents (1987–Present)

Main article: President of Fiji

Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an interim administration, exercising the powers of the presidency but without taking the title, styling himself Head of the Interim Military Government instead. On 5 December that year, the last Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, was appointed the first President. Ganilau served as President until 15 December 1993, when he died in office. He was succeeded by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

In the constitutional upheaval of 2000, following the forced resignation of President Mara on 29 May, Commodore Frank Bainimarama styled himself Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July 2000. On 5 December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama deposed the Fijian Government and President Iloilo and again become Head of the Interim Military Government. On 4 January 2007 Iloilo was restored to presidency, and remain President until 30 July 2009, when he retired and Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau become acting President. On 5 November 2009, Nailatikau was sworn in as President.

#	Image	Name	Born-Died	Took office	Left office	Political Party
Head of the Interim Military Government
—		Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka	1948–	7 October 1987	5 December 1987	Military
Presidents
1		Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau	1918–1993	5 December 1987	15 December 1993	None
2		Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara	1920–2004	16 December 1993	29 May 2000	None
Head of the Interim Military Government
—		Commodore Frank Bainimarama	1954–	29 May 2000	13 July 2000	Military
President
3		Ratu Josefa Iloilo	1920–2011	13 July 2000	5 December 2006	None
Head of the Interim Military Government
—		Commodore Frank Bainimarama	1954–	5 December 2006	4 January 2007	Military
Presidents
(3)		Ratu Josefa Iloilo	1920–2011	4 January 2007	30 July 2009	None
—		Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (acting)	1941–	30 July 2009	5 November 2009	None
4		Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau		5 November 2009	Incumbent

See also

• President of Fiji
• Prime Minister of Fiji