Republic of Rotuma

Republic of Rotuma
1987–1988
Flag
Common languagesRotuman
King 
 1987–1988
Henry Gibson
History 
 Established
1987
 Disestablished
1988
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Fiji
Fiji
Today part ofFiji

The Republic of Rotuma was an unrealized attempt at creating an independent Rotuma starting in September 1987 after the second Fijian coup. A part-Rotuman man named Henry Gibson announced to the New Zealand newspapers that he had declared the independence of Rotuma from Fiji. Gibson proclaimed himself the King of Rotuma and gained a popular following on the island. Aims to create the republic were aborted in 1988, when advocates were tried with sedition.