The Government has signalled a shift in how Fiji deploys its armed forces in domestic emergencies, proposing a “hybrid model” that would allow the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to respond more quickly to national security situations while clarifying the boundaries between military and police roles. Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua told Parliament on Monday that the change is intended to remove delays caused by legal uncertainty and to improve coordination between agencies.
“At the moment, for the Military to come out in support of the Police…is something that has to be endorsed and requested by the Police,” Tikoduadua said, underlining the current legal limitation that the military may only act at the request of police. The minister said discussions have taken place at the National Security and Defence Council level about how tighter cooperation could function “under the enabling legislation” so the RFMF can act more swiftly when national safety is at risk.
The proposed hybrid model would be supported by legislative reforms, including a new Republic of Fiji Military Forces Act and a Defence Management Act, Tikoduadua said. Those laws are being planned to define operational and tactical responsibilities so that roles are clearly demarcated, enabling coordination and accountability and reducing the risk that personnel will “get into trouble” because responsibilities were not properly assigned.
Tikoduadua acknowledged the sensitivity of expanding the military’s domestic role given Fiji’s history of coups and said the Government had been cautious. He also pointed to public calls in some quarters for a greater military presence to deal with security problems. “We were quite reluctant about that, given the history that we have, but we wanted to suggest ideas on how this could work out together,” he told MPs, adding the reforms would follow consultations.
The minister said the aim of the package is to allow the military to “almost immediately react” in future emergencies, rather than wait for formal requests that can introduce delay. He framed the move as a way to deliver faster and more coordinated national security responses while maintaining clear legal and operational boundaries between the RFMF and the Fiji Police Force.
What happens next remains procedural: Tikoduadua said the proposals will be refined through consultations ahead of formal legislative steps. The announcement represents the latest development in an ongoing debate over the right balance between police primacy in internal security and the military’s capacity to provide rapid support — a debate that has at times provoked public pressure for more direct military involvement and official caution given the country’s political history.