After a court annulled the present military-led government, Fijian President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced on Friday (10th April) that he has taken over the country's government. On Thursday (9th April) a court ruled that the current military leadership was illegally appointed after a 2006 coup. The president said in a nationally televised address that, he had annulled the constitution, assumed all governing power and sacked the country's judges.

 

Mr Iloilo took this decision after meeting Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the army chief who toppled the civilian government in the coup. He also said he would appoint an interim prime minister for five years to allow time for necessary reforms before elections could be held. Now the country would hold elections in 2014 much later than the deadline of this year set by the constitution, he added.

 

Although the motives in this extraordinary move are unclear, it is largely believed that it could simply be a way for Mr Iloilo to reinstate the military administration under a revised constitution. Mr Iloilo has been a staunch supporter of Mr Bainimarama, who has repeatedly ignored international demands to restore democracy. Earlier, Frank Bainimarama has resigned as interim PM after the court ruling.