SUVA, Fiji - Fiji’s opposition reached a deal on Tuesday to form a new coalition government, party officials said, signalling an end of Mr Frank Bainimarama’s 16-year rule of the South Pacific island nation.

The minor Social Democratic Liberal Party said its executive had voted 16-14 in favour of joining a broad coalition led by two-time coup leader and former rugby international Sitiveni “Rambo” Rabuka, who looks set to be the country’s next prime minister.

As the news began to filter through, supporters outside Mr Rabuka’s headquarters erupted into a joyous song.

Car horns blared and supporters danced in the streets brandishing shawls, placards and traffic cones.

Party supporter Elijah Rokoderea said he was relieved to see Mr Bainimarama lose power.

“I feel like breaking open the ceiling and celebrating,” he said. “It’s been 16 years of this oppressive government. You can’t even organise a protest.”

Security guard Mitele Tuqiri said he was ecstatic. “We are going to celebrate tonight and then tomorrow, it will continue.”

Mr Bainimarama came to power in a 2006 coup but later won two elections to legitimise his rule. His government has frequently used the legal system to push aside opponents and silence critics and the media.

He has not spoken in public since briefly meeting reporters before casting his vote last Wednesday.

The election had ended in a deadlock, with neither Mr Bainimarama nor Mr Rabuka holding enough seats to form a parliamentary majority.

They have spent days courting the social democrats and their devout Christian leader, who has demanded key ministerial posts in any new government and that Fiji set up an embassy in Jerusalem.

Details of the final coalition deal are not yet clear.

The result has broader regional significance – both Mr Rabuka and his new coalition allies have signalled a desire to cool relations with China.

Mr Bainimarama has vowed to respect the outcome of the election but many Fijians will wait anxiously to see his response.

Fiji has been upended by four coups in the past 35 years and the possibility of military intervention loomed over this year’s vote.

Mr Rabuka wrote to the country’s military commander to step in after questioning early voting results that were delayed by technical “anomalies” and an app glitch.

Even before the election count was complete, he was summoned by police for questioning before being released. AFP