An attempted coup that lacks the support of the military provoked a hostage crisis and riots in the capital city of Suva May 19. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed. At the heart of the crisis is indigenous Fijian discontent with the growing influence of Fijians of Indian descent. The prime minister, an ethnic Indian, was elected last year under a new constitution that allows non-native Fijians to hold the office. Many indigenous Fijians support the coup, but the Great Council of Chiefs, which wields moral authority over the indigenous community, does not. At the very least the crisis will serve to further polarize the two communities. Defer travel here until the crisis has passed.
