Truth-telling is essential for reconciliation efforts, and the process must be comprehensive, addressing all challenging questions, according to two Fijians involved in the 2000 coup—former journalist Josefa Nata and Dr. Gunasagaran Gounder, who served as an assistant minister in the Chaudhry government.
Dr. Gounder emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth, saying, “What was the real truth? Who was involved? What motivated them? That is very important.” He shared his own traumatic experiences from the coups, having been held in the Parliament complex for 56 days during the 2000 coup. Later, he was part of the Qarase government during the 2006 coup, serving as the Minister for Curative Health Services.
He stressed that reconciliation efforts need to be thorough and not fragmented. “It has to be very broad-based; you can’t take a piecemeal approach. It should involve comprehensive and in-depth investigations. We cannot overlook details; otherwise, the tendency will be to gloss over everything,” he noted.
He also pointed out the necessity of understanding whether the issues stem from racial tensions or the interests of a small group of elite indigenous Fijians, including potential military motivations. He urged for a broad-based Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that would be equipped with the right legislation to ensure its authority and that the findings are accepted nationwide, followed by actionable steps to prevent such events from recurring.
Mr. Nata echoed these sentiments, calling for a look back at the environment surrounding the coups, particularly the events of 1987. “We must understand the atmosphere and life during that time to comprehend why Rabuka acted as he did. The process should not be punitive; it is not about punishing individuals or locking them up.”
Mr. Nata also reflected on his own experiences, highlighting the pain and impact of the events he witnessed.