The coup d'état that led to the ousting of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra was orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. This event was significant as it represented a major upheaval in Fiji's political landscape, occurring within a climate of ethnic tension and economic struggle. The Bavadra government, which had come to power after the elections in 1987, faced challenges related to the growing dissatisfaction of the indigenous Fijian population regarding economic policies that they felt marginalized their interests. Concerns over political stability escalated, creating fertile ground for military intervention. Rabuka's coup was characterized by its speed, with troops swiftly taking key government buildings and securing control over the capital, Suva.After the coup, Rabuka declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution, arguing that the coup was necessary to prevent widespread ethnic conflict. The military's justification for the coup was rooted in their perception that Bavadra's government was failing to address the concerns of indigenous Fijians and was leaning too much towards the Indian Fijian population. Rabuka's actions not only led to his assumption of power but marked the beginning of a series of military-led governments in Fiji that would have a lasting influence on the country’s governance and social fabric for years to come.