May 19, 2000 A group led by George Speight takes Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudry and others hostage in the Parliament building of Fiji in Suva. Speight names Timoci Silatolu interim Prime Minister. The President Kamisese Mara, denounces the coup, and declares a state of emergency. May 20, 2000 The military and police pledge loyalty to Mara. May 26, 2000 Fifteen soldiers and two officers defect to the coup. May 27, 2000 The rebels try and break the siege. Gunfire is exchanged. Mahendra Chaudhry sacked as Prime Minister by the President, upon the order of the Great Council of Chiefs, and offers Speight a pardon. The offer is rejected. May 29, 2000 Commodore Frank Bainimarama declares himself head of an Interim Military Government, with the backing of the previous president, and declares martial law. May 30, 2000 Bainimarama revokes the 1997 constitution and names Ratu Epeli Nailatikau interim Prime Minister. After opposition from Speight, he withdraws the nomination on May 31. June 7, 2000 Fiji is suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations. June 20, 2000 Speight rejects an ultimatum demanding he signs an accord. July 4, 2000 Laisenia Qarase made interim Prime Minister. July 6, 2000 Rebels cut off Suva's power supply. July 7, 2000 Rebels overrun an army based on Vanua Levy Gunfire between rebels and military in Suva July 9, 2000 Speight and the military sign an accord. There is rioting in Levuka July 12, 2000 Speight's group release 9 hostages. July 13, 2000 Chaudry and the other hostages are released. Josefa Iloilo named as interim President. Jope Seniloli is vice President. July 27, 2000 Speight is arrested. November 2000 A Fijian court rules that the Iloilo government is illegal, and that Mahendra Chaudry is still Prime Minister.
