Former military personnel involved in the 2000 takeover of the Sukunaivalu VC Barracks, along with their families, convened yesterday for a day focused on reflection and healing.
The gathering was led by Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), who engaged participants in a talanoa session. He emphasized the significance of confronting the past and expressed satisfaction in witnessing the former soldiers acknowledge their errors.
For many of the attendees, this marked their first return to the barracks since the coup in 2000, providing a unique opportunity for emotional relief for both the ex-soldiers and their families.
Rupeni Vosayaco, a former lieutenant of the CRW Unit, shared his feelings of liberation following the event and expressed gratitude towards the RFMF Commander for facilitating the gathering. He described the occasion as historic, pointing out that the Commander’s readiness to communicate with them indicated a positive change from previous leadership styles.
Vosayaco further voiced his optimism about the end of the coup culture in Fiji, as it has inflicted division and suffering within families and communities.