Armed force !

The strange situation in Fiji should be a matter of concern for many people in south Pacific countries.

Fiji is a small country comprising two ethnic groups - the original Fijian native people and migrants from India, brought in by the British colonial administration to work the sugar plantations.

The two are roughly equal in size - and there is animosity between them.

Like every other civilized country, Fiji has a police force and a small army. This latter is more a self defence force, although it has taken part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in other parts of the world.

In recent times, civil government in Fiji has been wracked by civilian coups as relations between Fijian and Indian parliamentarians boiled into conflict. A civil settlement has seemed far out of reach.

That prompted the head of the Fijian army to intervene. Reasoning that he controlled the only guys with the guns, he simply took over - sacked the government. Suspended the constitution. Dumped the judges and lawyers.

He soon realised that he liked controlling the levers of power, and despite promises to return Fiji to democratic elections - is now signalling that this will not happen.

So - what happens next ?

Theoretically, that should be the job of the United Nations. Such an illegal regime should see a United Nations peacekeeping force storming the beaches, disarming the Fijian army - and setting the scene for elections, but that is showing no signs of happening.

Military coups have been a feature of life in Africa for decades. Sometimes it has been the national army taking control and sometimes it is a hastily conscripted militia winning power, but now this same disease is making it's presence felt in the Pacific area.

There are a lot of little states spread over a vast number of Pacific islands, and all of them have some sort of armed police force or army.

What is happening in Fiji is sending a seductive signal. He who controls the guns - controls the situation !

Watch out for further coups - taking place on an island near you !