“We were never involved in politics. It was the political party that pushed their agenda, the Bill, forward and we only reacted to the consequences the Bill would bring.”
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Frank Bainimarama
Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama is a Fijian former politician and naval officer who served as the prime minister of Fiji from 2007 until 2022. A member of the FijiFirst party, which he founded in 2014, he began his career as an officer in the Fijian navy and commander of the Fijian military. Despite being suspended from Parliament, he served as the opposition leader from 24 December 2022 until 8…
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politics · Prime Minister of Fiji from 2007 to 2022 · politician · military officer · naval officer · head of government · also Frank Bainimarama, Bainimarama
Born 27 April 1954 · Q57830
42 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 6 entries
“The military stand is that reconciliation is only possible after justice is served.”
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“Why should only a few people be freed and not others when we are all serving under the same law?”
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“Remember the words of the Bible in Amos 5:24, 'Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-falling stream'.”
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“We are not interfering with any political agenda or plan. We are only doing our job and that is on the grounds of security.”
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“Coups will be taken lightly if we condone this Bill, without justice there is no peace. If you honourable chiefs agree that those involved in the coup be forgiven, it will prove that we support the wrong and will be at odds with the integrity of God.”
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2025· 1 entry
Reported claimRated False. The former Fiji PM was released as part of an early release program. He was not (and could never be) pardoned by the incoming US president. · AAP
AAP rated the claim “Frank Bainimarama was released from prison early because he was pardoned by Trump.” False. The former Fiji PM was released as part of an early release program. He was not (and could never be) pardoned by the incoming US president..
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
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2024· 1 entry
clickondetroit.com: Fiji’s ex-leader, Frank Bainimarama, sentenced to prison for interfering in police investigation
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2023· 1 entry
Click2Houston: Fiji's former leader Frank Bainimarama released on bail
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2021· 1 entry
Career landmark: Minister for Forestry (2021).
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2016· 1 entry
Career landmark: Minister for Foreign Affairs (2016–2022).
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2014· 2 entries
And in recognition of his military service, he was promoted to rear admiral
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Began his career as an officer in the Fijian navy and commander of the Fijian military
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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2009· 1 entry
“My vision for Fiji is one that's free of racism. That's the biggest problem we've had in the last 20 years and it needs to be taken out. It's the lies that are being fed to indigenous Fijians that are causing this, especially from our chiefs who are the dominating factor in our lives. And the politicians take advantage of that. We need to change direction in a dramatic way. We need to get rid of Qarase and everything associated with the 2000 coup and begin entirely on a new path.”
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2008· 2 entries
Career landmark: Minister for Sugar (2008).
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Career landmark: Minister for iTaukei Affairs (2008).
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2007· 1 entry
Career landmark: Prime Minister of Fiji (2007–2022).
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2006· 2 entries
Career landmark: President of Fiji (2006–2007).
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“I don’t think they should be discussing the Bill. It represents the lies of those that took the people into Parliament. The same opportunists are using the GCC to push the Bill through.”
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2005· 3 entries
“When we wrong God, he does not let us go, he makes us pay for our wrongs but through the death of his own son Jesus Christ. When God's people (Jews) wronged him, he weakened them in battle and caused them to be captives in Babylon for 70 years.”
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“Those threats they (Apisai Tora and Tomasi Vakatora) came up with should be condemned. He (Tora) has come up with the same threats that politicians like him throw up before elections. That if any other party especially Labour wins, there will be instability … These people are forcing the population to vote out of fear. These types of talks have to be condemned now.”
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“As long as this bill hangs over our heads there is no credibility in what people in leadership do.”
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2000· 12 entries
“Who's promoting the Bill? These are people in the current Government who participated in the 2000 coup. Some have been convicted, others are facing trial, there are still others left whom the long arm of the law should get at.”
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Career landmark: President of Fiji (2000–2000).
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“This Bill is not about crime committed within one group of people but involves many races living in Fiji. Therefore we can not apply one law onto another. We need to protect the whole population; the different faiths; cultures and traditions.”
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“The Bill will legitimise the 2000 coup and will weaken the law and order agencies. All the good work of rebuilding Fiji to what it is today will be undone. The freeing of anyone (even if their crimes are politically-motivated) will show to the world that we are a nation that condones law breakers. It also means that we support terrorists as the Police Commissioner has commented.”
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“Following the 2000 coup, this august house did not agree to forgive the perpetrators but you decided that justice will take its course. You are confronted with a similar decision now. The military humbly requests that you display the same wisdom then to protect our land now.”
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“This confirms the RFMF view that the Bill has nothing to do with Reconciliation and everything to do with the selfish agenda that George Speight brought into Parliament in 2000 to gather support and ensure his leadership. We better stop lying to ourselves, we better stop these people lying to us.”
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“The passing of the bill will be a continuation of all the events of 2000.”
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“I told Mr Downer that I was disappointed with his comments and said that we should stay out of politics. I told him his country has not experienced a coup to feel what the military went through here. He can't compare the situation there to this side.”
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“This is where we are coming from. The Bill is a continuation of the 2000 coup and it is the consequences of the Bill that we are looking at.”
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“We are not going to take this Bill for granted. We asked them (the Daily Post reporters) to leave the room because they are for the Bill. And if they are for the Bill, this means they are anti-RFMF.”
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“There are two things that need to be taken away. First the lies and this government which needs to follow the law and imprison those implicated in the coup. The chiefs are being used just like those that have been made to believe that there is $6million in the bank for them. This Bill was pushed by the SDL party, the very same people that supported what happened in 2000 and there are opportunists seating in the council looking to mislead the council.”
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During a coup attempt, he convinced the President of Fiji Kamisese Mara to resign and formed an interim military government, which negotiated with the coup leaders
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1998· 2 entries
Was promoted to a commodore and later became the commander of the Armed Forces in 1999
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And 1999, as well as the Chief of Defence Conference in Hawaii
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1997· 1 entry
Was appointed Chief of Staff of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
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1993· 1 entry
And Exclusive Economic Zone Management training at Dalhousie University, Canada, in 1994
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1991· 1 entry
And at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre at RAAF Base Williamtown, Newcastle, New South Wales, where he studied Maritime Surveillance Training
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1984· 1 entry
In the markings of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Kiribati
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1975· 1 entry
And rose through the ranks, becoming an able seaman and a midshipman in 1976, an ensign in 1977, and later promoted to a sub-lieutenant at the end of that year
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1954· 1 entry
Born 1954-04-27.
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