Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged George Speight, the key figure behind the 2000 coup in Fiji, to disclose the identities of those involved in orchestrating the coup. In a media interview, Mr. Rabuka addressed the longstanding speculation associating him with the coup and the subsequent mutiny at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Queen Elizabeth Barracks, emphasizing that he has always denied these claims.
Mr. Rabuka stated that Speight’s silence has left him unjustly portrayed as a victim for many years, and he is now calling for transparency. “We want him to tell the truth,” he asserted, adding that this lack of disclosure has hindered him from clearing his name regarding the coup.
During his sentencing in February 2002, Speight suggested that he did not act alone, insinuating that a thorough investigation could reveal other high-profile individuals involved, emphasizing that he would be in “very distinguished company” if the truth came to light.
Recently, both Mr. Speight and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit captain Shane Stevens received presidential pardons. Speight, who was initially sentenced to death for treason, had his punishment commuted to life imprisonment, from which he served 24 years, including time in a correctional facility on Nukulau Island.
Mr. Rabuka noted that Speight’s release could play a crucial role in the coalition government’s efforts toward truth and reconciliation. Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, a hostage during the coup, also voiced the importance of Speight revealing the real instigators behind the events, calling it a necessary step for accountability.
Chaudhry insisted that if Speight is genuinely remorseful for the tragedy he caused, he should disclose the truth, asserting that Speight was not truly the mastermind behind the coup. Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube agreed, highlighting the significance of Speight’s release for uncovering the coup’s planners, while advocating for a truth and reconciliation process that is politically neutral and inclusive of both victims and perpetrators. “For this process to succeed, the truth must prevail,” he stated, pointing out that Speight has faced consequences for his actions, unlike others who have not been held accountable.