The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, has stated that there is no tolerance for sexual offenses within the military. In a recent discussion, he acknowledged that incidents of sexual abuse have occurred not only in Fiji but also during overseas deployments.
He referenced a recent case in the Middle East that resulted in the dismissal of four soldiers from the military. “We sent a team there for the Board of Inquiry and they came back with the findings,” he explained. The situation was managed by the commander of the joint task force, who is accountable for deployments, and all personnel involved were discharged from the RFMF.
“These are serious consequences because they significantly impact deployments in the Middle East and have also occurred here in Fiji,” Ro Kalouniwai added. He encouraged RFMF members to treat each other as they would like to be treated, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and gender equality within the organization.
He highlighted the ongoing recruitment of female soldiers and the necessity to enhance the support structure for them. “It does tarnish the name of the RFMF and has a substantial effect on our credibility, raising questions about our capacity to be deployed,” he remarked.