Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), has expressed that the year 2022 created favorable conditions for the military to embark on a significant reconciliation journey. During his appearance on The Lens @177, he noted that the need for reconciliation had always been recognized, but previous conditions were not conducive for such efforts.
Kalouniwai explained that leadership and differing operational methods had previously hindered reconciliation efforts. However, the year 2022 established a framework for moving forward. He emphasized a commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that elections proceeded as they should, which laid the groundwork for initiating reconciliation efforts.
He highlighted the importance of reuniting soldiers who had previously been estranged or had taken sides during conflicts, acknowledging that both parties had made mistakes. The reconciliation process is currently focused on members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) unit involved in a past mutiny, with ongoing efforts already in place.
Kalouniwai pointed out the critical role of trauma healing and reconciliation teams, which are reaching out to both soldiers and their families. He underscored that families of affected soldiers, especially wives and children who suffered from long separations, are also a priority in this process.
In discussing the reintegration phase, he made it clear that the RFMF encompasses more than just active soldiers, but also includes semi-active members and reservists. He firmly stated that a soldier remains a soldier for life, emphasizing the necessity of reintegrating all members back into the greater RFMF community.