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Fiji: Heads of State: 1987-2025
Commander and Head of the Interim Military Government of Fiji
25 Sep 1987 - 9 Oct 1987 Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka
Commander and Head of the Fiji Military Government
9 Oct 1987 - 5 Dec 1987 Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka 
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Fiji
5 Dec 1987 - 25 Jul 1990 Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau (from 1988 Tui Cakau)
President of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
25 Jul 1990 - 16 Dec 1993 Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau, Tui Cakau  [1]
Acting President of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji
16 Dec 1993 - 18 Jan 1994 Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara, Tui Nayau, Tui Lau
President of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
18 Jan 1994 - 27 Jul 1997 Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapiawai Tuimacilai Mara, Tui Nayau, Tui Lau 
President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
27 Jul 1997 - 29 May 2000 Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara, Tui Nayau, Tui Lau  [2][3]
Commander and Head of the Interim Military Government of Fiji
29 May 2000 - 4 Jul 2000 Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama [2]
Commander and Head of Government of Fiji
4 Jul 2000 - 18 Jul 2000 Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama [2]
President of the Republic of Fiji
18 Jul 2000 - 1 Mar 2001 Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, Tui Vuda [3]
Acting President
1 Mar 2001 - 15 Mar 2001 Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, Tui Vuda 
President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
15 Mar 2001 - 5 Dec 2006 Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, Tui Vuda 
Commander and Head of the Interim Military Government of Fiji
5 Dec 2006 - 6 Dec 2006 Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama 
President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands and Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
6 Dec 2006 - 5 Jan 2007 Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama 
President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands
5 Jan 2007 - 10 Apr 2009 Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, Tui Vuda 
President of the Republic of Fiji and Commander in Chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces [4]
10 Apr 2009 - 8 Aug 2009 Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, Tui Vuda 
Vice-President of the Republic of Fiji (ex officio)
8 Aug 2009 - 5 Nov 2009 Ratu Epeli Nailatikau [5]
President of the Republic of Fiji
5 Nov 2009 - 12 Nov 2015 Ratu Epeli Nailatikau 
12 Nov 2015 - 12 Nov 2021 Jioji Konousi Konrote
12 Nov 2021 - Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere

[1] Ratu Ganilau died on 15 Dec 1993 in Washington, D.C. United States (date in Fiji was 16 Dec 1993).
[2] In dissidence:
  'Taking over executive power'
  19 May 2000 - 20 May 2000 Ilikini Naitini alias George Speight
  Interim President (also in official use Interim President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands)
  20 May 2000 - 13 Jul 2000 Ratu Jope Naucabalavu Seniloli, Turaga Taukei Naua
[3] The Court of Appeal on 1 Mar 2001 upheld the ruling of the High Court of 15 Nov 2000 that the 1997 Constitution was still in place and that there was no evidence of resignation of Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara until 15 Dec 2000, which was recognized as effective date for the end of his term as President. As Vice President at the time of effective resignation, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda was authorized to exercise the functions of President until 15 Mar 2001 in accordance with Art. 88 of the Constitution. His style (Acting President) may be retrospectively dated to 15 Dec 2000.
[4] The Court of Appeal on 9 Apr 2009 declared that the assumption of executive authority by Bainimarama on 5 Dec 2006 was an "unlawful act," thus invalidating the approval of actions of Bainimarama made by Iloilovatu as the President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands on 16 Jan 2007 (Ratification and Validation of the Declaration and Decrees of the Fiji Military Government Decree 2007). In response to the judgement, Iloilovatu abrogated the Constitution (as ameded by the Constitution Amendment Act 1997) and, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces, appointed himself President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands (10 Apr 2009).
[5] Acting for the absent incumbent: 30 Jul 2009 - 8 Aug 2009.
Last update: 08 May 2025
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