The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has expressed its support for truth-telling as an essential component of the national reconciliation process. Chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula emphasized that identifying those involved in past conflicts is a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation. His remarks come in response to renewed calls from the Opposition for greater transparency regarding previous coups in Fiji.
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has been vocal about the issue, particularly after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka participated in the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission program last year. Seruiratu stated that the time has come to disclose the names of individuals involved in the past upheavals, stressing the importance of transparency.
In contrast, Prime Minister Rabuka mentioned that the authority to decide on disclosures rests with the commission itself. Ratu Seruvakula underscored that the truth and reconciliation process is a vital opportunity for national healing, asserting that confronting the past candidly is necessary for the country’s progress.
Additionally, Ratu Seruvakula expressed the GCC’s support for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Restoration and Reconciliation Program, acknowledging that it is making considerable progress. He echoed sentiments expressed by Mick Beddoes, highlighting the importance of the military recognizing the suffering endured by those affected by previous coups, even if current members were not involved in the decisions made at the time.
He pointed out that many personnel within the Republic of Fiji Military Forces were not born or directly implicated in the earlier conflicts. Ratu Seruvakula commended Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai for his efforts to restore public trust in the institution, stating that fostering healing requires patience and allowing reconciliation efforts to take their course.
Ratu Seruvakula concluded by saying that it is essential for both victims and perpetrators to have the opportunity to share their experiences, which will contribute to unity and help pave the way for a more peaceful future in Fiji. This approach highlights a hopeful pathway toward reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of collective healing in moving forward as a nation.
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