Former and current senior officers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) have committed to ensuring that Fiji avoids future political turmoil. This pledge was made during a reconciliation event held at the RFMF Chapel in Nabua, which was led by RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai and attended by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
The event brought together several prominent figures, including former President Jioji Konrote and former Fiji Corrections Service Commission Chair Francis Kean, among other senior officers such as Pita Driti and Ratu Viliame Seruvakula. Notably absent were some former senior officers, including Inia Seruiratu and former RFMF Commander Viliame Naupoto.
Prime Minister Rabuka described the reconciliation as a chance for military personnel, both past and present, to reflect on their shared history and forgive each other. He stated, “This is the Commander’s initiative for reconciliation among those who served and those still serving, especially those who experienced the upheavals of 1987, 2000, and 2006. Everyone opened up and was well received. We now stand together, putting our backs to the sad episodes of our history, and committing that ‘never again’. I am absolutely positive that the RFMF is heading in the right direction.”
Commander Kalouniwai emphasized that the purpose of the reconciliation was not to blame anyone for past crises, but to unite in a commitment to move forward. He noted that acknowledging past mistakes was crucial for the broader reconciliation process within the military and the nation. The discussions highlighted that the political crises of 2000 and 2006 represented significant leadership failures that left deep scars on the nation. The Commander assured the Government that the military would continue to uphold the rule of law.
Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube remarked on the extensive damage caused by past coups, including loss of lives, ethnic mistrust, corruption, and economic difficulties. He estimated that each coup cost Fiji an average of $3 billion, emphasizing that without these upheavals, the economy would be substantially larger. Narube stressed the need to address the socio-economic challenges faced by Indigenous Fijians and called for a definitive end to future coups.