The recent reconciliation event held by the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has raised questions regarding the absence of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, who were expected to participate. Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa confirmed that no formal requests were made for their release to attend the ceremony. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who hosted the event, stated that he had indeed asked for their presence to be part of the reconciliation program, but ultimately, the two were not released from custody.
The ceremony, which took place at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva, was a solemn occasion, involving families of those affected by the mutiny on November 2, 2000. During the event, Rabuka extended his apology for the events that transpired, including actions taken by George Speight and Admiral Bainimarama.
Rabuka’s attempts to involve the two former officials prompted his protocol team to act quickly, but their absence was noted when they failed to arrive at the reconciliation ceremony. Commissioner Nakarawa emphasized that without a formal request for release, their attendance was not feasible, clarifying that he had no prior knowledge of Prime Minister Rabuka’s request until after it was mentioned in the ceremony.
Under the Corrections Service Act of 2006, the Commissioner has the authority to approve short-term releases for prisoners, but such requests must be formally communicated and noted in advance.
This situation highlights the complexities of reconciling past grievances within Fiji while navigating existing legal frameworks. While the absence of Bainimarama and Qiliho at such a pivotal event may seem discouraging, it may also open doors for further dialogue and healing as the nation continues to address its historical conflicts. The commitment shown by leaders like Rabuka to seek forgiveness and recognize the past is a hopeful step towards unity and progress in Fiji’s community relations.
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