Trust between communities relies on effective governance, according to Dr. Brian Jones, the British High Commissioner to Fiji. Addressing participants at the conclusion of the RFMF Reconciliation and Restoration team workshop, Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of the military fostering public trust in its institution. He noted that Britain has made significant progress in reconciling with its historical actions, and that citizens have worked diligently to shift perceptions.
“As a British diplomat, I can stand here today and speak about these issues with pride in my institution. It is crucial for me as a leader to unite my team and continue foster international relationships,” Dr. Jones stated. He expressed a desire to see similar efforts in Fiji, where restoring pride in the RFMF and the nation’s institutions could eliminate associations with past coups from global conversations about Fiji.
He emphasized that the younger generation of soldiers and citizens, including police officers, will embody a new leadership that reconciles with the past and feels pride in their institutions and country. While acknowledging that the military has made strides towards reconciliation, he indicated that the broader society would require more time and dialogue to follow suit.
“The rest of Fiji has a journey ahead to engage in the discussions you have been having. There is room for collaborative efforts toward a comprehensive truth-telling reconciliation process that the government, the Prime Minister, and the Commander of the RFMF aspire to achieve. From the UK perspective, we are committed to supporting Fiji’s endeavors,” Dr. Jones remarked.
Major Mesake Nadao Daunitoko, a member of the RFMF Reconciliation and Restoration team, revealed that the three-day workshop centered on restorative justice, a critical component of the RFMF’s ongoing reconciliation efforts. “This training is part of the RFMF’s program, with the restorative justice aspect representing the next stage of our reconciliation and restoration process,” he explained. The RFMF’s Reconciliation and Restoration program aims to conclude by November.