State Lifts Defense Export Ban on Fiji Following Elections

The State Department issued a final rule to immediately approve defense exports to Fiji, following a years-long ban for the country. The new rule (here), effective May 29, amends the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to remove a denial policy for both defense articles and services. State initially denied defense exports to Fiji after a 2006 military coup in the country (here). State said the Fijian government conducted “credible” elections in September 2014, which prompted the agency to lift the denial. The leader of the 2006 coup, Voreqe Bainimarama, remains prime minister following the 2014 elections.