Army coup illegal, admits new prime minister

FIJI’S newly imposed premier admitted the army’s ousting of the elected government was illegal and that elections could be two years away, but said the nation did not need Western-style democracy.

However, later in the day coup leader Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama looked to be at odds with his appointee, when he said democracy was “good for the people.”

In his first public comments a day after being sworn in, caretaker prime minister Jona Senilagakali defended the overthrowing of what he termed a corrupt government and warned Australia and New Zealand not to interfere.

Both countries have already announced sanctions

“It’s an illegal takeover to clean up the mess of a much bigger illegal activity of the previous government,” Senilagakali said.

Bainimarama said fresh elections would be held when the country was stable again, but gave no date.

He has cracked down on dissenters by dismissing senior police officers and civil servants after warning he would not tolerate dissent and would forcibly crush revolt.