Personnel who were dismissed following the military coup in 2000 may soon be welcomed back into the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF). Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai indicated that the RFMF is contemplating this move as part of the reconciliation efforts.
He explained, “A crucial aspect of the reconciliation process involves exploring how we can reintegrate some of these affected soldiers back into the RFMF.” He recalled that during the 2000 coup, some young soldiers were caught in unfortunate circumstances, leading to their incarceration for periods ranging from six to eight years.
The recent reconciliation gathering in Vanua Levu aimed to address the impacts on these soldiers, many of whom are still relatively young, with some just over 40 years old. The RFMF’s focus is on reintegrating individuals under the age of 55 back into the military. Major General Kalouniwai suggested that this reintegration could serve as a form of compensation for those affected.
In addition, he emphasized that the RFMF is also considering how to support the families and loved ones impacted by these historical events. He reiterated the RFMF’s commitment to seeing the reconciliation process through to completion.