Headline: Fiji declares narcotics a national security crisis as police boost and security council planned; no foreign bases, but broader cooperation with allies
Fiji’s Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua has elevated narcotics to the top of the security agenda, describing the drug trade as a national crisis that demands aggressive and well-resourced action. The government is responding with a multi-pronged push that includes deploying an extra 1,000 police officers, widening the police budget, and earmarking dedicated funds for targeted anti-narcotics operations.
Minister Tikoduadua stressed that the narcotics threat is not just a traditional security issue and that resourcing the police to confront drugs is a priority. While the police remain the lead agency in the fight, the Defence Ministry is coordinating with the Prime Minister to strengthen overall national security management, including the immediate establishment of a National Security Council.
The strategy places the war on drugs alongside broader efforts to combat rising cybercrime and the long-term risks posed by climate change. On the international front, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reiterated that Fiji will not host foreign military bases, calling the issue non-negotiable. Yet he confirmed that Fiji will expand defence and infrastructure cooperation with allies such as New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, as well as through regional security frameworks.
Rabuka also touched on international obligations connected to navigation and security in Fiji’s waters, stating that as a responsible member of the United Nations and other global bodies, Fiji will continue to offer assistance to navigators passing through its exclusive economic zone by providing refueling facilities, water, and resupply. He emphasised that port upgrades will remain civilian infrastructure but may be used by passing military vessels for refuelling and resupply under international obligations, and these facilities will not be converted into military installations.
Context and value-added notes:
– The emphasis on the navy’s role and maritime security has been a recurring theme in Fiji’s security discourse, with discussions about strengthening maritime capacity and increasing naval resources to protect Fiji’s vast EEZ. Analysts have highlighted the need for more vessels and improved coordination to counter drug trafficking and other illicit activities at sea.
– Recent reports have also underscored budgetary challenges for Fiji’s maritime forces, prompting calls for a more robust funding framework and the potential creation of a centralized maritime coordination capability to improve inter-agency cooperation. Strengthening border control and immigration processes is seen as part of a holistic approach to curb drug trafficking.
Additional comments:
– The approach signals a balanced strategy that blends civilian policing, selective military support only as a last resort, and extensive international cooperation. It also recognizes root causes—poverty, unemployment, education gaps—and points toward community engagement and rehabilitation as complementary pillars.
– The government’s stance on not hosting bases preserves sovereignty while still pursuing practical security partnerships and capacity-building with regional partners.
Summary:
Fiji is prioritising narcotics as a security crisis and expanding resources for law enforcement, while pursuing stronger national-security coordination and international cooperation. The government rejects foreign military bases but indicates greater defence and infrastructure collaboration with partners and a commitment to civilian-led port facilities used under international obligations.
Summary in Fijian
Na kalavata ni sa vakarautaki o Viti na droka me vaka na leqa ni matanitu, ka sa vakarawarawa na inaki me tubu na veika vakailau kei na lawa. E a curu na 1,000 na polisii tale, sa tubu tale na ivolavoli ni policia, ka sa levu na gauna ni cakacaka me kania na droka. Na Mat categorian Defence e veitalanoa kei na Turaga ni Matanitu me bulia na National Security Council me vakasamataka na fori ni mataka. E katakata tiko ga na ivakarau ni noqu vakaloloma me veiskata na draki kei na cybercrime kei na veika e tubu mai na climate change. E sega ni laurai me na drodro vata na basisi ni veiqaravata kei na vanua, ia e curu tiko na veivakabibi ni veivakadonui ki na veiliutaki kei na veitau ni möriga me na weka na veika vakailavo kei na veitokoni me vaka ki na NZ, Australia, kei Amerika, ka vakataki na ivakarau ni vanua. Na ivakarau ni valenivalu kei na veiitarogi ni waiwai e vakadinadina kina na veivuke vei ira na taukei ni vanua me baleta na navigation e na nodra vakatovolei na draki ni veiqaravi, vukucova na refu kei na waiwai, kei na resupply. E tukuna talega ni na vakayagataka nai vakarau ni port kina na veiliutaki vakavanua, ia ka sega ni ca na veiliutaki ni vuvale ni vere ni matanitu. Na ivakarau oqo e vakayacora ena vuku ni veiliutaki ni vanua me baleta na leqa ni droka, me vaka na veiqaravi ni vanua qai veivakaduadua.
Note: The Fijian summary is provided to the best of current capability and aims to convey the core points in a concise translation.
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