In this Fijian name, Josaia is the given name, Voreqe is the middle name and Bainimarama is the surname. However, many Fijians use their middle name as either their given name or their surname.
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 69) Kiuva, Fiji
Political party
FijiFirst
Spouse
Maria Makitalena
Children
5
Relatives
Meli Bainimarama (brother)
Alma mater
Dalhousie University
Website
bainimarama.org
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
^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
v
t
e
Josaia Voreqe "Frank" BainimaramaCF (MIL) OStJ MSD (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. 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[2] until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by Inia Seruiratu.[3]
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, 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. He relinquished command 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 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. He was succeeded by the leader of the 1987 Fijian Coups d'etat, Sitiveni Rabuka.
Bainimarama resigned from Parliament and as leader of the opposition in March 2023.[4] 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. On 14 March 2024 the High Court of Fiji convicted him of perverting the course of justice.[5]
^"Fiji Parliament directory". Parliament of Fiji. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
^"Bainimarama elected as Opposition Leader".
^Fonua Talei (9 March 2023). "Inia Seruiratu To Lead Opposition To 'Keep Government In Check'". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
^Cite error: The named reference FVResign was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference RNZ2024a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama CF (MIL) OStJ MSD (Fijian: [tʃoˈsɛia βoˈreŋɡe mbɛiniˈmarama]; born 27 April 1954) is a Fijian politician and former naval...
in March 2014 by then Prime Minister, FrankBainimarama. The party was launched on 31 March 2014 with Bainimarama beginning a nationwide tour of the country...
was the world's oldest head of state. On 5 December 2006, Commodore FrankBainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, seized power in...
members of Parliament. The FijiFirst party, led by Prime Minister FrankBainimarama, won a landslide victory, winning 32 of the 50 seats. The Social Democratic...
the 7th Infantry Regiment of the Territorial Forces. Prime Minister FrankBainimarama nominated Katonivere for President of the Republic of Fiji on 21 October...
illegal. The Court dismissed the Interim Cabinet led by Prime Minister FrankBainimarama that had governed Fiji since the coup. However, President Josefa Iloilo...
had taken power declared it a republic. In a 2006 coup, Commodore FrankBainimarama seized power. In 2009, the Fijian High Court ruled that the military...
result was a victory for the ruling FijiFirst party of Prime Minister FrankBainimarama, which received just over 50% of the vote and 27 of the 51 seats in...
for changes. A plan to change the flag, announced by Prime Minister FrankBainimarama in 2013, was abandoned in August 2016. Constituent parts of the flag...
Meli Bainimarama (24 September 1945 – 30 November 2023) was a Fijian civil servant and diplomat. He was the older brother of Fijian dictator Frank Bainimarama...
Fiji Times on 12 November 2000, the Military Commander, Commodore FrankBainimarama charged that while the revolt was in progress, Rabuka had visited...
Civil Aviation under Prime Minister FrankBainimarama, beginning in January 2007. On 23 September 2008, Bainimarama said that Nailatikau would be moved...
FrankBainimarama's 16-year tenure as Prime Minister and cementing the PA-NFP-SODELPA government. Bainimarama then conceded defeat peacefully. Frank Bainimarama...
April 2020 the Foreign Affairs portfolio returned to Prime Minister FrankBainimarama, and Seruiratu was instead appointed Minister for Rural and Maritime...
was installed as Interim Prime Minister as Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama took control of the government. He was previously a highly esteemed...
himself but was himself deposed by the military leader, Commodore FrankBainimarama. After 56 days in captivity, Chaudhry was released on 13 July and...
2-1 in the final of the Scottish Cup football competition. Born: FrankBainimarama, prime minister of Fiji from 2007 to 2022 Died: Antoni Bolesław Dobrowolski...
2020 – 24 December 2022 Prime Minister FrankBainimarama Preceded by Sitiveni Rabuka Succeeded by FrankBainimarama Member for Lau Taveuni Rotuma In office...
the council was suspended, due to an unworkable relationship with FrankBainimarama, leader of an "interim government" that came to power through military...
The Bainimarama government was the government of Fiji from 2014 until 2022. It was led by FrankBainimarama. Following the 2014 general election, Bainimarama...
Africa's in 1996. The 1997 constitution was abrogated by Commodore FrankBainimarama, who organised a counter-coup to neutralise a civilian coup d'état...
system. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces under the leadership of FrankBainimarama overthrew the government again in 2006. No further elections would...
for National Security (1980–1983) Fiji – Military government of FrankBainimarama (2006–2014) Civilian control of the military Civil–military relations...
Global Information
Dominion of Fiji (until 1987) 
Republic of Fiji Navy
Rear admiral
