Fiji is currently experiencing a “culture of convenience,” according to the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu. He expressed concerns that the lure of convenience often leads individuals or groups to take shortcuts for their own and political gain. His remarks were in response to findings from the Government’s National Security and Defence Review (NSDR), which revealed a significant lack of trust in the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
Mr. Seruiratu noted that the ongoing Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) offers a valuable opportunity for the RFMF to disclose the circumstances surrounding past coups. “For this to occur, it is essential that individuals involved in previous political upheavals are permitted to share their narratives,” he stated. He emphasized the need for testimonies from those recently released for their involvement in the events of 2000, as well as military personnel from the Queen Elizabeth and Sukanaivalu Barracks who faced incarceration as a result. Moreover, he insisted that the accounts of those tied to the 1987 coup must also be included, asserting that “only the truth will set us free.”
Drawing from his background as a former RFMF officer, Mr. Seruiratu warned that without disclosing the truth, it would simply amount to ignoring significant issues while problems continue to persist.
In relation to the Constitution, he remarked that discussions regarding a review of the 2013 Constitution should only take place after the TRC process concludes “genuinely and honestly.” He insisted that Fiji’s challenges do not stem from the Constitution itself but rather from the egos of individuals or groups dissatisfied with the democratic process, leading them to resort to coups to fulfill their personal and political ambitions. Mr. Seruiratu pointed out that following the events of 1987, the original 1970 Constitution was amended, and likewise, the 1997 Constitution was replaced after the coups of 2000 and 2006. In all cases, the newly established Constitutions included provisions for immunity to protect those behind these tragic events from legal consequences.
He stressed that resolving these issues would require profound leadership and genuine dedication from all segments of society, including political and community leaders, chiefs, religious figures, the business community, and the general populace, whose interests should be prioritized throughout these processes.
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