The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, has affirmed that there is no tolerance for sexual offenses in the military. Addressing inquiries on the matter, he acknowledged that incidents of sexual abuse have occurred both in Fiji and during overseas deployments.
He specifically mentioned a recent case in the Middle East that resulted in the dismissal of four soldiers. “We sent a team there for the Board of Inquiry and they came back with the findings,” he stated. The issue was managed by the commander of the joint task force responsible for deployments, leading to the discharge of those involved.
Kalouniwai emphasized that these serious penalties not only impact military operations in the Middle East but have also occurred within Fiji. When asked how RFMF members should interact with each other, he urged them to treat their comrades “the way they want to be treated.”
He highlighted that inclusivity and gender equality are essential priorities for the RFMF, particularly as the organization recruits more female soldiers. “We have a responsibility within Fiji as well. We have a lot of female soldiers that are being recruited today but at the same time, we are working on the support structure, on the support mechanisms that we need to have to strengthen,” he added.
He acknowledged that such incidents damage the reputation of the RFMF and raise questions about the organization’s credibility and ability to serve during deployments.