Fiji has witnessed a growing “culture of convenience,” according to Inia Seruiratu, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). He pointed out that this tendency towards convenience has led individuals or groups to take shortcuts for personal and political gain. Seruiratu’s comments came in response to findings from the Government’s National Security and Defence Review (NSDR), which indicated a significant trust deficit in both the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
Addressing the issue of past coups, Mr. Seruiratu mentioned the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as a crucial opportunity for the RFMF to disclose the circumstances surrounding these events. He stressed the importance of allowing those involved in previous political turmoil to share their narratives, including recently released individuals linked to the events of 2000, as well as military personnel from the Queen Elizabeth and Sukanaivalu Barracks who were imprisoned as a result.
Seruiratu emphasized that understanding the history of the coups in 1987 is equally vital, stating, “only the truth will set us free.” He argued that failing to tell the complete story would merely be like “brushing cobwebs while the spider continues to loom.”
In discussions about constitutional reform, Mr. Seruiratu insisted that any review of the 2013 Constitution should only commence after a thorough and honest TRC process. He noted that Fiji’s issues stem not from the Constitution itself, but from the egos of individuals or groups who feel sidelined by democracy, leading to coups to fulfill their political ambitions.
He highlighted the pattern that past coups in 1987 and 2000 led to changes in the Constitution, with new documents being devised to include immunity clauses for those behind these upheavals. Seruiratu called for genuine commitment and leadership from various sectors of society—including political figures, community leaders, chiefs, and the business community—to prioritize the interests of the people in these discussions.
Leave a comment