Bainimarama openly defied the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s warning to Fiji to restore democracy by December this year or face the full suspension of its membership, in the wake of a coup in 2006.
Bainimarama told Fijilive that the Commonwealth had also isolated Fiji after its first coup in 1987, but the country survived.
“We didn’t die when they suspended us in 1987, we just grew old,” he said.
Bainimarama reiterates that if the Commonwealth wants to suspend Fiji after December then it should do it now.
“Nothing is going to change,” he said. “If we go into elections now, it is not going to serve any purpose. It’s probably going to make things worse for the people of Fiji.”
Bainimarama wants changes to Fiji’s race-based electoral system before he returns to the barracks.
And with the impending international isolation, even from its Pacific neighbors in the Pacific Island Forum, he has called for Fiji’s people to sacrifice for the benefit of future generations.
“Every now and then we need to make sacrifices for the betterment of our future generations,” Bainimarama told Fijilive.
“We cannot let the financially powerful players in the region dictate to us when we know what is best for our future. Maybe we lose some now, but in the long run, we are more independent, confident and our children will have a lasting multi-racial, cultural and tolerant society they can develop in.”
Bainimarama has until May 1 to deliver a timetable on Fiji’s return to democratic rule.
