The coups resulted in the removal of the elected government and its replacement by an interim regime headed by Josefa Iloilo.

[4]: 69–70 On 19 May 2000, the first anniversary of Chaudhry's election, a group of armed men led by businessman George Speight stormed the Fijian Parliament and took the government hostage.

[7][10] In the immediate aftermath of the takeover, participants in the protest march moved from Government House to surround parliament, while mobs of youths burned and looted Indo-Fijian-owned shops in Suva.

[10][11] Former Prime Minister Rabuka initially acted as a negotiator attempting to free the hostages,[4]: 86 [12] but was later dismissed after Speight decided he could no longer trust him.

[13][14] In a televised press conference Speight swore in Jope Seniloli as interim president, and was then sworn in as prime minister, with Silatolu as his deputy and Rakuita Vakalalabure as attorney-general.

[15][16] Police and the RFMF failed to control access to parliament, allowing people to come and go freely while negotiations continued.

[18][19] The next day President Mara sacked Chaudhry for being unable to perform his functions and appointed Tevita Momoedonu, the sole cabinet member who was not in parliament when it was seized, as prime minister.

[4]: 128–129 [9]: 223 On 28 May, following the broadcast of a news segment critical of Speight, a rebel mob attacked the Fiji TV station, killing a police officer.

[20][21][22] The breakdown of law and order saw Chief Justice Timoci Tuivaga and other judges advise RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama to take control on the basis of "necessity".

[23][24] Bainimarama initially named former army commander Epeli Nailatikau as prime minister,[25][26] but withdrew the nomination the next day after objections from Speight.

[27] Bainimarama then deferred the appointment of a civilian government "until the climate is right", but committed that "Mahendra Chaudhry will no longer come back as Prime Minister".

[4]: 140–141  On 4 June, talks broke down,[30] and the military issued an ultimatum, demanding Speight release the hostages and lay down his arms, and in return promising an amnesty.

[4]: 146  On 14 June, the New Zealand government applied a travel ban to Speight and 84 of his associates, as well as Fijian sports teams.

[41] On 3 July 2000, Bainimarama named Laisenia Qarase as prime minister, heading an all-indigenous Fijian government.

[4]: 206 [44] On 8 July, rebels blocked the road between Suva and Nadi and stormed a police station in Korovou, taking 30 hostages.

[4]: 229  Speight continued to lobby over the makeup of the interim cabinet, demanding that Qarase be replaced as prime minister by Adi Samanunu Cakobau,[51] and that rebels be given control of key portfolios.

[71] In April 2005, Lands Minister Naiqama Lalabalavu, Senator Josefa Dimuri and two other Vanua Levu chiefs were sentenced to eight months imprisonment over his role in the Sukanaivalu Barracks mutiny.

[74] In November 2002, 15 soldiers involved in the Queen Elizabeth barracks mutiny were sentenced to prison terms ranging from ten months to life imprisonment.