Truth-telling is essential for genuine reconciliation, and the process must consider all challenging questions regarding past events. This perspective comes from two Fijians deeply affected by the 2000 coup: former journalist Josefa Nata and Dr. Gunasagaran Gounder, who served as an assistant minister in the Chaudhry administration.
Dr. Gounder emphasized the importance of uncovering the full truth behind the coup: “What was the real truth, who were involved, what motivated them. That is very important.” He recounted his traumatic experience of being held at the Parliament complex for 56 days during the coup and noted his later role in the Qarase government Cabinet during the 2006 coup as the Minister for Curative Health Services.
He advocated for a comprehensive approach to reconciliation. “It has to be broad-based and you can’t take a piecemeal issue and deal with it. It requires overall and in-depth investigations, without glossing over facts, as this could lead to superficial apologies and forgotten grievances. The truth must come out—who was involved and their motivations are crucial.”
Dr. Gounder also pointed out the complexity of the issues at play, questioning whether they are purely racial or tied to the interests of certain elite indigenous Fijians or military motives. He stressed the need for a well-empowered Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), urging that its findings be accepted by the country with a commitment to preventing future occurrences of violence.
Nata echoed these thoughts, advocating for a look back to the atmosphere surrounding the coups, particularly starting from 1987. He believes it’s important to understand the context of that time to grasp the motivations behind the coups. Nata insisted that the reconciliation process should not be punitive, highlighting his own experiences of hurt caused by these events.