Choices - a transition to democracy

The chance of Fiji having truly FREE and FAIR democratic elections in 2014 is highly unlikely.  Bainimarama cannot and will not approve or hold an election that has the smallest amount of risk, chance or possibility of him losing and being arrested.  

There is just too much evidence of the crimes committed by Fiji’s dictator Frank Bainimarama, which include treason, sedition, murder, torture and corruption.  The dictator has also shown that he is prepared to say and do anything to remain in power, including rejecting the draft constitution prepared by his own Constitution Commission, lying to the people of Fiji and to the international community and beating up and intimidating civilians and members of the opposition.  

Bainimarama is guilty and he knows it.  This is why he is desperate for immunity provisions to be included in the new Fiji constitution -- Provisions that give him and his corrupt family and friends immunity from prosecution for their involvement in past coups.

To make matter worse for Bainimarama, the people of Fiji objected to immunity being given to anyone involved in any past or future coups. The people voiced their objection in over 7,000 submissions they made to Bainimarama’s own Prof Ghai led Constitution Commission.  Subsequently Bainimarama rejected the Prof Ghai draft Constitution, which had been prepared by two world constitutional experts.  

Bainimarama then ordered his partner in crime, the corrupt and highly unqualified Attorney General, Khaiyum, to draft a new constitution.  It is obvious that their version will include the immunity provisions that they so desperately need, and it will also include other provisions that will allow Bainimarama and Khaiyum to steal native Fijian lands, and remain in power.   Both Bainimarama and Khaiyum also travelled the country lying to the people of Fiji in an attempt to convince the people that their draft constitution safeguards native land ownership and is good for everyone.  These are blatant lies by two desperate people.

The illegal AG Khaiyum also told local communities, during his visit, that he will be given immunity.  This suggests that Khaiyum and Bainimarama have already decided that they will receive immunity no matter what and remain in power.  This is in-line with the current political party registration fiasco – all for show, with forever changing goalposts.  It also suggests that Bainimarama and Khaiyum have already decided to apply their version of the constitution and force it onto the people of Fiji.  If they do force it onto the people and still lose the elections, then it follows that they will most likely carry out another coup to remain in power and out of prison. 

Members of the military council and some senior civil service staff also stated that Khaiyum told them that there will not be any elections for 20 years. This allegation is supported by Bainimarama’s record of breaking every promise he has made relating to holding free and fair elections.

The 2014 elections, therefore, if it does happen, will not likely remove Bainimarama from power. And no amount of foreign aid funding is likely to provide the “magic incentive” that will suddenly convince Bainimarama into holding truly free and fair democratic elections.  Not unless the foreign aid includes some form of political asylum for Bainimarama and his corrupt relatives and friends. Or even just for Bainimarama and his family.  Maybe an MSG member country would be generous enough to take-in Bainimarama and his stolen loot.

Anyone who still thinks that the 2014 elections, held under the Bainimarama and Khaiyum dictatorship, will provide them with the answer to vote in another government to replace the Bainimarama junta is totally dreaming, or still believes in Santa Clause.

This whole situation leaves the oppressed people of Fiji with few choices, some more difficult than others.  They can choose to:

1. Do nothing and wait for the 2014 elections in the hope that they will be able to vote Bainimarama out of power:  (a)- If there are elections and the people are unable to vote Bainimarama out of power then do they again wait for the next promise of elections or make a stand?   (b)- If there is no election do they wait for the next promise of elections or make a stand?
   
   
2. Accept life as it is under the rule of a brutal and corrupt Bainimarama dictatorship that is focused on taking native lands, paying themselves multiple salaries and benefits, increasing national debt through cheap Chinese loans, remaining in power and removing the indigenous language, customs, identity and religion, and driving the economy into the ground and increasing unemployment, poverty and food prices, while beating and intimidating people and causing the nation to live under fear and oppression, etc.
   
   
3. Say “enough is enough”, stand-up and march together in solidarity with your friends, neighbours and workmates and community against the Bainimarama dictatorship. 
   
   Remember that People Power outnumbers military and police who will not be able to stop a large wave of people from our towns, cities, rural communities and villages, including the outer islands.  In addition, only a few hundred soldiers and senior military and police officers support Bainimarama.  He does not have overall support of the military and police and relies heavily on the few corrupt senior officers and his military thugs to intimidate and beat others into line. 
   
   The Fijian Chiefs and leaders of the political parties and communities will also need to be untied and focused on saving the nation and the oppressed people of Fiji.  They will also need to put their differences aside and organise their members and supporters to stand together in solidarity.  This is the only way and the best way to free Fiji from the Bainimarama dictatorship.  
   
   
4. Protest via small groups of patriots, which a number of comments to blog postings have alluded to.  Some have even suggested that removing the head of the snake is the answer, as it was in Libya, but Libya also lost brave and innocent souls.  Therefore this option is very high risk and requires thorough planning, coordination and support if it is to succeed.
   
   

If selecting an option leads to the removal of the Bainimarama junta then certain next steps will need to be taken to avoid any chaos or delays.  Whatever action you decide to take will need to be carefully planned, understood and followed.  Remember that if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail.

POST BAINIMARAMA
IF you have reached that critical point and decide to proceed, AND you do succeed in removing the Bainimarama junta (Phase-1) then this guide is for you (Phase-2). It outlines necessary steps to help you take the country through to elections ASAP.  The new government (Phase-3) will then be responsible for leading the country forward.

Removing the Bainimarama dictatorship will create a power vacuum, however temporarily, and the vacuum will need to be effectively managed so that the country is not thrown into chaos or disarray and there is no loss of life or damage to any property. 

It will also be essential that:

• the transition from the dictatorship to civilian rule is achieved with no violence, no loss of life, or damage to property (if possible)
• there is a clear roadmap to take the country to truly free and fair elections ASAP
• security and safety of the people (including foreigners) and property is maintained nationwide 
• essential services continue – electricity, water, food stores, banks and medical services, transportation, etc. 
• business and trade continue
• the wheels of government and the private sector continue to turn with minimal disruption
• both the local and international communities are consulted and updated on progress.

The transition process must be coordinated and effectively managed to avoid any:

• chaos and riots from breaking out 
• retribution against Bainimarama and his supporters
• communication issues among stakeholders
• delays in taking the country to elections ASAP.
  

ACTION POINTS
Until the new government is elected the person leading the overthrow will need to:

1. Detain Bainimarama and all his aides and key supporters
2. Ensure that no counter-offensive is possible by any elements aligned to Bainimarama and his junta or to a rogue opportunistic group
3. Order the return of all RFMF officers and soldiers back to barracks
4. Implement the communications plan (attached) - communication is crucial to success and must be effectively managed throughout this whole transition period
5. Hold a press conference and call for peace and calm nationwide and make the point that you will not condone or accept any acts of retaliation or retribution against any member of the junta, their supporters and families, businesses and property
6. Maintain communication and contact with Chiefs and community leaders and the public at large 
7. For national security and for the safety of individuals concerned, secure key members of the Bainimarama junta and their supporters and families.  A new and truly free and independent judiciary, once operational, will be responsible for hearing all charges laid against members of the junta and their supporters. 
8. Appoint a temporary Commander RFMF to: (a)- Oversee the operations and functions of the RFMF, until a new government is elected and a new Commander is appointed (b)- Recall all military personnel to barracks  (c)- Ensure the return and security of all weapons and ammunition  (d)- Apprehend and detain all Bainimarama military supporters  (e)- Assist police, when requested, to maintain order and stability nationwide.
9. Appoint a temporary Commissioner of police to: (a)- Oversee the operations and functions of the police force, until a new government is elected  (b)- Maintain law and order, and peace nationwide (c)- Apprehend and detain all Bainimarama supporters in the police  (d)- Provide security for the public, businesses and all property.
10. Freeze all government financial transactions 
11. Freeze all foreign payments and transfers
12. Appoint a temporary administrator and a team of trustworthy and capable professional individuals to:  (a)- Plan, organise and take the country to free and fair national elections ASAP, in collaboration with local and international communities, donor agencies and foreign governments.  The people will need to vote for a constitution to base the elections on – either the 1997 Constitution or the Prof Yash Ghai Constitution  (b)- Oversee the continued running of the Public Service – working with senior civil servants in each government department  (c)-Maintain diplomatic relations and trade  (d)- Ensure all essential functions and services continue – health, water, electricity, wastewater, communications, prisons, fire, treasury, finance, banks, food, etc  (e)- Develop links to local communities and business leaders and operators for input and feedback during the transitional period.  (f)- Suspend the judiciary and courts, as appropriate, until a new government is elected  (g)- Ensure all local businesses are protected and continue to operate (h)- Ensure all foreign investors and their businesses and properties are protected and operating  (i)- Deal with governance issues until the new government is elected (j)- Ensure a free media and provide a platform whereby people can safely voice their ideas and opinions  (k)- Maintain transparency and keep the public and international community informed of progress.
    
    PLEASE NOTE:   People selected to the temporary administration team must be qualified, skilled in their area of expertise and be results focused.  They must also understand planning, implementation, collaboration and communication and must be emotionally mature, professional and able to work under pressure, as part of a team, and to tight deadlines.  
    
    Joining the administration team is all about taking the country to elections ASAP and maintaining security and order in the process.  It is not about egos or personal agendas or seeking revenge. The administrator needs to be a good leader and must be able to get the job done ASAP and have the support of the person who led the removal of the junta.
    
    Selection criteria should not be based on a persons popularity, rank or title, age, gift of the gab, length of public sector service, ability to play rugby, being the most attractive or the loudest person or have the sweetest voice.  The selection needs to be real and focused on people cable of taking the nation to elections ASAP.  
    
    
13. Hold elections
14. New Government elected
15. Hand-over to new government.

See spreadsheet for stakeholder analysis with specific tasks and responsibilities.