Sister Teresia Tinanisolo shared her firsthand account of the pivotal 1987 coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka during her appearance before the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recalling her journey from Savusavu to Suva, she vividly described witnessing military personnel marching towards their camp in Nabua. “That day, I wrote to the Fiji Times advising Rabuka to keep their military parade at Queen Elizabeth barrack,” she remarked.
The aftermath of her letter prompted a response from Rabuka, who suggested through a radio broadcast that she should remain in her convent and pray. Sister Tinanisolo responded by dedicating herself to prayer and reflection while standing firm in her belief that she had spoken the truth. “So there was the beginning of many letters yet to be written in the experience that I experienced, particularly in the life of our boarding schools,” she noted.
Her testimony forms part of a broader effort by the Commission to document personal accounts that aim to foster truth, healing, and reconciliation within Fiji’s complex socio-political landscape. By bringing forth experiences like Sister Tinanisolo’s, the Commission seeks to acknowledge the past and provide a platform for voices historically marginalized during times of strife.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission echo sentiments expressed by others in Fiji, highlighting the crucial nature of dialogues about historical injustices and the path towards healing. Reverend Anil Reuben, for example, has called for collective efforts in healing and forgiveness, stressing the need to unveil personal truths to facilitate emotional release.
As Fiji navigates these discussions, it is essential for communities to come together, share their experiences, and work towards a future shaped by understanding and reconciliation. The commission’s commitment to documenting diverse narratives reflects a hopeful vision for healing and unity among the Fijian people.
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