Fiji’s dictator leads march through Suva

LEFT, RIGHT: Fiji’s military dictator Voreqe Bainimarama leads soldiers on a march through Suva.

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Fiji’s military dictator Voreqe Bainimarama startled Suva this morning by leading soldiers on a march through the capital.

Bainimarama, who installed himself in a 2006 coup, has tried not to be seen wearing military uniform in recent months.

But in pictures issued today by the Fiji Ministry of Information, Bainimarama is seen with his soldiers on the 15 kilometre march.

Most of the soldiers are seen without weapons, but Bainimarama’s bodyguards were armed.

The military say it is a fitness test which enables the soldiers to talk with their military leader.

Just before staging his coup in 2006, Bainimarama lad an aggressive and heavily armed route march into Suva’s business district to warn the then democratic government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Bainimarama says he will restore democracy in 2014 but no details have been released yet of how it will be done or whether the previously deposed government will be allowed to take part.

- © Fairfax NZ News