Suva Crisis
| Date | 31 December 1979 – 2 January 1980 |
|---|---|
| Location | Suva, Fiji |
| Type | Prison revolt and anti-Tanoan uprising |
| Cause | Prison conditions and treatment |
| Participants |
|
| Outcome | Uprising suppressed, communications between Fiji and Tanoa reorganized |
| Era | Vriend Era |
The Suva Crisis was a prison revolt and anti-Tanoan uprising in Suva, Fiji, from 31 December 1979 to 2 January 1980. It began as a disturbance over conditions and treatment inside a Suva prison before anti-Tanoan detainees and resistance supporters took advantage of the breakdown in control. The unrest spread into parts of the city and developed into fighting with police and Tanoan occupation forces. A total of 327 people were killed.
The crisis exposed failures in communications between the Tanoan administration in Fiji and central command on Tanoa. Tanoan-controlled police initially attempted to contain the unrest, but delayed and conflicting orders hindered the response. Local security forces and the occupation garrison suppressed the uprising after communications with Tanoa were restored.
Background
Tanoa Einsatzgruppen forces formally annexed Fiji in 1975 during the Tanoa Einsatz Expansionist Campaign. The independent Fijian government was removed and the territory was incorporated into the Tanoan administrative system. Ports, airfields and communications infrastructure were placed under Tanoan control, while remaining civil institutions operated under military authority.[1]
Tanoan military consolidation in Fiji continued during the second half of the 1970s. By 1979, Fiji was an important base for Tanoan activity in the South Pacific.[1]
Crisis
The crisis began on 31 December 1979 with a disturbance inside a prison in Suva. Prisoners protesting their conditions and treatment overwhelmed the initial response inside the facility. Anti-Tanoan detainees joined the revolt, while resistance supporters outside the prison used the breakdown in control to organize demonstrations elsewhere in Suva.
Tanoan-controlled Fijian police attempted to contain the unrest as it spread through parts of the city. Communication problems between authorities in Fiji and central command on Tanoa delayed coordination, and local forces received conflicting instructions while the uprising expanded.
The Tanoan security command in Fiji subsequently took control of the response. Police, security personnel and the local occupation garrison were concentrated in Suva as communications with Tanoa were restored. Fighting continued into 2 January 1980 before Tanoan forces regained control of the prison and the affected parts of the city.
The crisis caused 327 deaths.
Aftermath
Following the suppression of the uprising, the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen strengthened communications between Fiji and Tanoa. New communication systems were deployed to allow the Fijian occupation authorities to receive orders and coordinate security responses directly with central command.[1]
The Suva Crisis became the final major event of the Tanoan expansion and military consolidation in Fiji during the 1970s.[1]
See also
- Fiji
- Suva
- Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
- History of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
- Tanoa Einsatz Expansionist Campaign
- Resistance against the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen