9 January, 2026, 4:07 pm Central - 26°C Rain

34 years on today, Professor Tupeni Baba speaks about the May 14th 1987 coup led by Rabuka

34 years on today, Professor Tupeni Baba speaks about the May 14th 1987 coup led by Rabuka

By Vijay Narayan
14/05/2021
Professor Tupeni Baba in 1987 (Getty Images and Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987 (Fairfax Media)

At 10am, May 14th, 1987, the first coup was staged in Fiji led by the third-ranked military officer in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Sitiveni Rabuka.

This changed Fiji forever and as we mark 34 years of that event today, Professor Tupeni Baba who was part of the then Doctor Timoci Bavadra led government said it is unfortunate that the 1987 coup occurred as it also started off the culture of coups.

He says taking the government out with force and dividing the races with a barrel of the gun will never bring anything good.

Professor Baba says he remembers that day in 1987 when Rabuka entered parliament.

He says he had also challenged Rabuka on that day, but listened to the late Doctor Bavadra.

The leader of the two coups in 1987, Sitiveni Rabuka whose immunity provisions for those acts have also been included in the 2013 constitution said in an earlier interview with fijivillage that he has come to realize that he cannot justify what happened on May 14th, 1987.

Rabuka had also made claims in his book, Rabuka Of Fiji that he was allegedly influenced by former politicians.

He was taken to court for this.

FEATURE NEWS
Family still in shock as waterspout tears roof off Korolevu home
A family is still in shock after a waterspout destroyed the roof of their bedroom home along the coastline of Korolevu, Sigatoka at around midday toda...
25 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Fiji secures $12.6M Japanese grant to strengthen road access in remote communities
Fiji has received $12.6 million for the procurement of necessary road work materials as the Japanese Government formalised the Japanese grant ...
2 minutes ago

Council issues removal notices for abandoned vehicles in Narere
Removal notices for derelict vehicles located along Vatoa and FNTC Road in Narere were issued by the Nasinu Town Council today. The Council stresses ...
54 minutes ago

19-yr-old escapes conviction after stealing mobile phone in Vatuwaqa
A 19-year-old man who stole a mobile phone in Vatuwaqa last year has escaped a prison term and conviction as his 3-month sentence has been suspended ...
1 hour ago

Lau man accused of sexual assault out on bail
The man who allegedly sexually assaulted a nurse in Ono-i-Lau last month has been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.23-year-old Senikarawa ...
1 hour ago

Sewage spill behind supermarket continues as authorities yet to act
Sewage waste has been continuously spilling from a manhole behind a prominent supermarket since last month, with no action taken by the relevant ...
1 hour ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
7 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
18 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
18 days ago

TOP