Frank Bainimarama

Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama ( Fijian: [tʃoˈsɛia βoˈreŋɡe mbɛiniˈmarama]; born 27 April 1954) is a Fijian politician and former naval officer who served as the prime minister of Fiji from 2007 until 2022.

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.

Following his education at Marist Brothers High School, Bainimarama enlisted with the Fijian Navy on 26 July 1975 and rose smoothly through the ranks, becoming an Able Seaman in August 1976, a Midshipman in December the same year, and an Ensign on 1 November 1977.

After completing the Midshipmen's Supplementary Course in Australia, he was appointed Navigation officer of HMFS Kiro in August 1978.

At the end of that year, he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant.

In January 1979, Bainimarama embarked on the Chilean naval training ship, the Buque Escuela Esmeralda, which spent six months circumnavigating South America.

On his return to Fiji in August, Bainimarama was appointed executive officer of HMFS Kiro.

After a brief Navigation Course in HMAS Watson in March 1982, Bainimarama underwent Search and Rescue training at the United States Coast Guard Centre in New York City.

On his return to Fiji, he was appointed commander of HMFS Kikau, his first command post.

He went on to command HMFS Kula, and spent four months in 1984 in the markings of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Kiribati.

He was promoted to lieutenant-commander in 1986 and became a commander in 1988.

After being promoted to Lieutenant Commander in February 1986, he departed for Sinai where he served for eighteen months with the Multinational Force and Observers.

He was succeeded by the leader of the 1987 Fijian Coups d'etat, Sitiveni Rabuka.

In January 2022, Bainimarama underwent heart surgery in Melbourne, Australia.

During his recovery, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was named Acting Prime Minister.

Bainimarama returned to Fiji in March 2022.

Bainimarama's naval career spans three decades.

He has received a number of honours for his service.

He has been made an Officer Brother in the Order of St John of Jerusalem, and has received the Meritorious Service Decoration, the Peacekeeping Medal for United Nations peacekeepers, the General Service Medal, the Fiji Republic Medal, and the 25 Anniversary Medal.

Bainimarama returned to Fiji in September 1987.

He took charge of the delivery of two naval ships, the Levuka and Lautoka, from Louisiana in the United States.

He became Commanding Officer of the Fijian Navy in April 1988, and was promoted to the rank of Commander on 4 October that year.

He held this post for the next nine years.

He later became captain in 1991.

Bainimarama underwent further training at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College in 1991 and at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre at RAAF Williamtown, Newcastle, New South Wales, where he studied Maritime Surveillance Training.

This was followed by Disaster Management training at the Asian Institute of Technology in 1993, and Exclusive Economic Zone Management training at Dalhousie University, Canada, in 1994.

He was promoted to the rank of Captain in October of that year, and went on to attend the Australian Joint Services Staff College (JSSC).

He attended the Integrated Logistics Support Overview course of the Australian Defence Co-operation Program on 23 September 1996, and the Chief of Army Conferences in Singapore in 1998 and 1999, as well as the Chief of Defence Conference in Hawaii.

In 1997, Bainimarama 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.

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.

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 until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by Inia Seruiratu.

Bainimarama attended Marist Brothers High School, the Asian Institute of Technology and Dalhousie University.

He relinquished command in 2014, and in recognition of his military service, he was promoted to Rear Admiral.

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 Ratu 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.