Frank Bainimarama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rear Admiral the Honourable
Frank Bainimarama
CF (MIL), OStJ, MSD
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Bainimarama in 2014
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| Prime Minister of Fiji | |
| In office 5 January 2007 – 24 December 2022 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Jona Senilagakali |
| Succeeded by | Sitiveni Rabuka |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 24 December 2022 – 8 March 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Sitiveni Rabuka |
| Preceded by | Naiqama Lalabalavu |
| Succeeded by | Inia Seruiratu |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 16 April 2020 – 24 December 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Inia Seruiratu |
| Succeeded by | Sitiveni Rabuka |
| Leader of FijiFirst | |
| In office 31 March 2014 – 7 June 2024 |
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| President of Fiji | |
| In office 5 December 2006 – 4 January 2007 |
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| Prime Minister | Jona Senilagakali |
| Preceded by | Josefa Iloilo |
| Succeeded by | Josefa Iloilo |
| In office 29 May 2000 – 13 July 2000 |
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| Prime Minister | Laisenia Qarase |
| Preceded by | Kamisese Mara |
| Succeeded by | Josefa Iloilo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
27 April 1954 Kiuva, Colony of Fiji |
| Political party | FijiFirst (2014–2024) |
| 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 |
| ^ a: Acting: 5 January 2007 – 22 September 2014 |
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Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama (born 27 April 1954) is a Fijian politician and former naval officer. He served as the Prime Minister of Fiji from 2007 to 2022. He started his career in the Fijian navy and later became the commander of Fiji's military.
Bainimarama founded the FijiFirst political party in 2014. After his time as prime minister, he served as the leader of the opposition for a few months before resigning from Parliament in March 2023.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Frank Bainimarama was born in the village of Kiuva, Fiji. He went to Marist Brothers High School. For his higher education, he studied at the Asian Institute of Technology and Dalhousie University in Canada.
Military Career
Bainimarama's career in the navy lasted for almost 40 years. He joined the Fijian Navy in 1975 and steadily moved up through the ranks.
Rising Through the Ranks
After joining the navy, Bainimarama became an able seaman and then a midshipman in 1976. By 1977, he was an ensign. He traveled around South America on a training ship from Chile and later became the commander of several Fijian naval ships.
Over the years, he received more training in countries like Australia, the United States, and Malaysia. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1986 and commander in 1988. In 1991, he became a captain.
Commander of the Military
In 1997, Bainimarama was appointed Chief of Staff of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Two years later, in 1999, he was promoted to commodore and became the commander of the entire military.
He retired from the military in 2014. To honor his long service, he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral.
Political Career
Bainimarama's political career began after a period of major change in Fiji. He played a central role in the country's government for many years.
2000 Leadership Change
In May 2000, a group led by George Speight tried to take over the government. This event is known as the 2000 Fijian coup d'état. Bainimarama, as head of the military, stepped in. He believed the president at the time, Kamisese Mara, was not handling the crisis well.
Bainimarama formed a temporary military government to manage the situation. This government negotiated with the group to free the people they were holding. Later that year, a new civilian government was put in place.
2006 Coup and Becoming Prime Minister
In 2006, Bainimarama led a military coup, which is a sudden and forceful change of government. He removed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from power. Bainimarama said he did this because he believed the government's policies were unfair and causing division in the country.
In 2007, he became the prime minister. He promised to hold elections and bring back democracy. He wanted to create a "non-racial, culturally-vibrant and united" Fiji where everyone had an equal chance to succeed.
Winning Elections
In 2014, Bainimarama started a political party called FijiFirst. The party won the 2014 Fijian general election, and he officially became the prime minister.
His party won again in the 2018 Fijian general election, and he served a second term. In the 2022 Fijian general election, FijiFirst won the most seats but not enough to form a government on its own. After 16 years, Bainimarama's time as prime minister came to an end. He was succeeded by Sitiveni Rabuka.
Resignation from Parliament
After the 2022 election, Bainimarama became the leader of the opposition. On 17 February 2023, he was suspended from parliament for three years for comments he made. He resigned from his position as a member of Parliament and as leader of the opposition on 8 March 2023.
Personal Life
Bainimarama is from the village of Kiuva in Tailevu Province. He is married to Maria Makitalena, and they have six children.
He is a big sports fan, especially rugby union and athletics. He became the president of the Fiji Rugby Union in 2014. In early 2022, he had heart surgery in Melbourne, Australia, and returned to Fiji a few months later.
See also
In Spanish: Frank Bainimarama para niños
- Qoliqoli Bill
- People's Charter for Change and Progress
- List of foreign ministers in 2017
- List of current foreign ministers
- Office of the Prime Minister
