"As of six o'clock this evening the military has taken over the running of the government and the country," Commander Frank Bainimarama told reporters in Suva.
Bainimarama said he'd been forced to act after Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase refused a request by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to resign.
"Qarase has been Prime Minister since 2000," Bainimarama explained. "In Fiji, that's the equivalent of a despotic regime that has lasted for generations. Qarase is being selfish and hogging the leadership. Many other Fijians should have had a go by now."
Commander Bananarama - yeah baby, he's got it/military control of Fiji.
The military chief said he had temporarily taken over presidential powers in order to dismiss Qarase and appoint an interim prime minister, named as doctor Jona Baravilala Senilagakali.
A military spokesman later said Senilagakali was not a member of the armed forces and had not previously served as a politician. Moreover, he had dibs on the premiership and it was his turn.
"Qarase's been hogging that chair since 2000. It's not right for one man to rule our great island nation for more than a couple of weeks, let alone six years," Senilagakali explained. "Laisenia should be ashamed of himself."
Former PM Qarase, forced to learn to share.
Bananarama said he would surrender presidential powers next week, when Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs would be asked to give Iloilo another go.
Iloilo would then appoint an interim government to facilitate full national elections once Fiji was stable again.
Six months after that, the military would undertake to perform another coup.
Bananarama said he would charge government officers to continue working until the interim administration was in place. Until that happened, a military council would offer advice.
He appealed to the international community to understand what was going on in Fiji.
"I plead to the international community to first learn and understand the situation in Fiji before you take action," he said. "Don't worry - we know what we're doing. Armed rebellion? Yawn. We could practically do it in our sleep."
The military chief said the constitution would "largely" remain in place, and the judiciary and other arms of government would continue to "operate".
He appealed to Fijians to remain calm, and for businesses to continue to operate.
"To our trading partners, I reiterate: please don't be scared away. For those of you new to our regular coups, please get in touch with the professional, experienced staff in our Coup Administration Offices. They'll make your revolutionary period experience so hassle-free, you'll almost forget the martial law we're imposing.
Fiji's high-tech Coup Administration Offices (Est. 1987/1987/2000/2006)
"I guarantee it's business as usual in Fiji."
