In December 2006 the then Fiji military commander Josaia (Frank) Voreqe Bainimarama executed Fiji’s fourth coup. His government immediately implemented a series of reforms aimed at achieving national unity amongst Fijians. They defined national unity as peace, social cohesion, equal opportunities, ethnic tolerance and harmony. This qualitative study explores the constitutional, institutional and electoral reforms implemented by the Bainimarama-led government between 2006 and 2022 and their implications on Fijian national unity. The study used purposive, volunteer, and snowball sampling techniques to select 36 interview participants. These included representatives from political parties, community leaders, constitutional lawyers, and academics, who engaged in semi-structured interviews. Secondary data in the form of letters to the editor from the two major newspapers — The Fiji Times and Fiji Sun, alongside the parliamentary Hansard reports, were used to supplement the primary data collected through interviews.

The study draws on an integrated conceptual framework developed from multiple theoretical perspectives to question the efficacy of the constitutional, institutional, and electoral reforms on Fijian national unity. The findings demonstrate that certain reforms, such as having one national identity, have successfully contributed to fostering a sense of belonging and promoting national unity among Fijians. Electoral reforms did not appear to significantly contribute to national unity. This suggests that while some reforms may align with the goal of national unity, others served different agendas. Lastly, the findings highlight the importance of incorporating individuals from diverse backgrounds and different segments of Fijian society in the policy-making process. This ensures that policies are informed by the lived experiences of those they affect.