Frank Bainimarama

Rear Admiral the Honourable[1] Frank Bainimarama CF (MIL), OStJ, MSD
Bainimarama in 2014
Prime Minister of Fiji
In office 5 January 2007 – 24 December 2022[a]
President	Josefa Iloilo Epeli Nailatikau Jioji Konrote Wiliame Katonivere
Preceded by	Jona Senilagakali
Succeeded by	Sitiveni Rabuka
Leader of the Opposition
In office 24 December 2022 – 8 March 2023
Prime Minister	Sitiveni Rabuka
Preceded by	Naiqama Lalabalavu
Succeeded by	Inia Seruiratu
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 16 April 2020 – 24 December 2022
Preceded by	Inia Seruiratu
Succeeded by	Sitiveni Rabuka
Leader of FijiFirst
Incumbent
Assumed office 31 March 2014
Secretary-General	Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Preceded by	Party established
President of Fiji
Acting
In office 5 December 2006 – 4 January 2007
Prime Minister	Jona Senilagakali
Preceded by	Josefa Iloilo
Succeeded by	Josefa Iloilo
In office 29 May 2000 – 13 July 2000
Prime Minister	Laisenia Qarase
Preceded by	Kamisese Mara
Succeeded by	Josefa Iloilo
Personal details
Born	Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama (1954-04-27) 27 April 1954 (age 70) Kiuva, Fiji
Political party	FijiFirst
Spouse	Maria Makitalena
Children	5
Relatives	Meli Bainimarama (brother)
Alma mater	Dalhousie University
Military service
Allegiance	Dominion of Fiji (until 1987)  Fiji (since 1987)
Branch/service	Republic of Fiji Navy
Years of service	1975–2014
Rank	Rear admiral
Criminal information
Criminal status	Incarcerated
Conviction(s)	One count of attempting to pervert the course of justice
Criminal penalty	1 year in prison
Imprisoned at	Korovou Corrections Centre[2]
^ a: Acting: 5 January 2007 – 22 September 2014

This article is part of a series about Frank Bainimarama
Prime Minister 2006–2022 Leader of the Opposition 2022–2023 FijiFirst Party Cabinet Essential National Industries Decree 2011 Timeline Naval career 2000 coup 2006 coup Charter for Change, Peace and Progress Qoliqoli Bill 2009 constitutional crisis 2013 Constitution Cyclone Winston COP23 COVID-19 pandemic Cyclone Yasa General elections 2014 2018 2022
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Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama CF (MIL) OStJ MSD (Fijian: [tʃoˈsɛia βoˈreŋɡe mbɛiniˈmarama]; born 27 April 1954) 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^[3] until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by Inia Seruiratu.^[4]

Bainimarama attended Marist Brothers High School, the Asian Institute of Technology and Dalhousie University. He joined the Fijian Navy in 1975 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. He was promoted to lieutenant-commander in 1986 and became a commander in 1988. He later became captain in 1991. In 1997, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

In 1998, he was promoted to a commodore and later became the commander of the Armed Forces in 1999. In 2000, 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. The military government was replaced by a civilian one by the end of the year. He relinquished command of the military in 2014, and in recognition of his military service, he was promoted to rear admiral.

Bainimarama instigated the 2006 coup, removing Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from power. He later restored Ratu Josefa Iloilo as president and himself as prime minister in 2007. Bainimarama promised the return of elections and democracy in 2014 and formed a party named FijiFirst. In the 2014 Fijian general election, FijiFirst won a majority, and Bainimarama was sworn in as prime minister of Fiji by President Epeli Nailatikau. In the 2018 Fijian general election, FijiFirst won an outright majority, and Bainimarama became prime minister for a second term on 20 November 2018. In the 2022 Fijian general election, FijiFirst won a plurality but was unable to form a government, meaning Bainimarama ceased to be prime minister after 16 years of rule, making him the second-longest serving Prime Minister of Fiji after Kamisese Mara. He was succeeded by the leader of the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, Sitiveni Rabuka.

Bainimarama resigned from Parliament and as the leader of the opposition in March 2023.^[5] The next day, he was charged with abuse of office over allegations he and police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho interfered with an investigation into financial mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific.^[6] On 14 March 2024, the High Court of Fiji convicted him of attempting to pervert the course of justice.^[7] On 9 May 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison.^[8][9]