Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called for frank confrontation of Fiji’s past and concrete action on reconciliation at the National Social Cohesion Stakeholder Conference in Suva this morning, saying safe, inclusive dialogue and a coordinated national approach are essential to rebuild fragile trust between communities. Rabuka told delegates that addressing historical grievances honestly, with compassion, must underpin efforts to strengthen national unity and long-term stability.
Highlighting the ongoing Truth and Reconciliation process as a central mechanism, Rabuka said the initiative offers a pathway to address historical injustices and begin the work of repairing relationships. “Working silos is a thing of the past, we must remain grounded in the spirit of ‘Solesolevaki’ where our collective strength far exceeds our individual efforts,” he said, urging institutions and civil society to move beyond isolated responses and align behind shared objectives.
Rabuka warned that trust between communities remains delicate and that unresolved tensions can erode social cohesion and impede national progress. He said coordination among key institutions has improved but must be deepened, and that reconciliation requires deliberate structures and measurable outcomes rather than open-ended conversation. “We must ensure that reconciliation is not merely rhetorical but delivers clear benefits and restores confidence across our society,” he added.
A further priority, Rabuka said, is to involve younger generations in reconciliation work. He argued that engaging youth is critical both to legitimacy and to securing durable results, calling for programs and platforms that give young people a stake in shaping outcomes and tracking progress. Without that engagement, he warned, reconciliation risks becoming a discussion among elders that fails to translate into lasting social change.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come as Fiji continues to grapple with the legacies of past political upheavals and social divisions. Rabuka’s public advocacy for the Truth and Reconciliation process is notable given his long-standing prominence in national politics; his leadership in promoting a formal, organized approach to historical grievances signals an effort by the central government to steer national conversation toward institutional remedies.
Conference participants are expected to continue deliberations over the coming days on how to strengthen reconciliation mechanisms and embed them into public policy. Officials said the stakeholder talks will explore methods to measure progress, broaden participation across communities, and create the safe spaces Rabuka described so that victims and others affected by historical divisions can be heard.
As the latest development in Fiji’s evolving reconciliation agenda, Rabuka’s address frames the work ahead as both a moral duty and a practical necessity for social stability. The emphasis on coordination, measurable outcomes and youth engagement sets a more action-oriented tone for what has often been a sensitive and politically charged national conversation.
Leave a comment