Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), has expressed the belief that the military should revert to its traditional role prior to November 2006. In a discussion with The Fiji Times, he highlighted this viewpoint as a critical aspect of the considerations surrounding the 2013 Constitution.
Ratu Viliame emphasized that the military’s responsibilities were clearly defined in the 1970 Constitution, and he warned that politicizing the military negatively impacts the morale of its personnel. He suggested that the current provisions in the 2013 Constitution were designed to serve the interests of specific individuals.
According to Section 131 of the 2013 Constitution, the primary duty of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is to guarantee the security, defense, and well-being of Fiji and its citizens at all times. Ratu Viliame also urged a reevaluation of certain constitutional provisions that limit resource usage.
He referenced a recent forum with resource owners who raised concerns about the need for legal changes, stating, “Time is moving and we want to move with it.” He pointed out that modifications to the Mining Act are contingent upon amendments to the Constitution, as stated by the Minister of Lands.
Additionally, Ratu Viliame mentioned a public lecture by Australian constitutional law specialist Professor Anthony Regan, who criticized the clarity of the language in the 2013 Constitution. Ratu Viliame reiterated that such ambiguity during a crucial time in Fiji’s history is detrimental, creating unnecessary confusion.
He concluded by stressing the urgency of addressing these issues, noting that the world will not wait for Fiji to catch up in resource development.