Pio Tikoduadua Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government
Fiji's Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua announced on Wednesday that the government will embark on a national security and defence review exercise in the new year.
In a news conference in Suva, Tikoduadua - flanked by Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai and Colonel Jim Sanday, the man tasked to lead the review - said it is a response to the call from President Williame Katonivere for a "specialist review of Fiji's defence and security systems" during the opening session of parliament in February.
"The key objectives through this review to craft a national security strategy that not only outlines Fiji's national interest and goals, but also integrates our core values and principles, ensuring that the roles of government agencies resonate with our national ethos," Tikoduadua told journalists.
He said the review would also include identifying and implementing legislative regulatory reforms in defence and security, and designing a security sector reform and governance (SSRG) program under the home affairs ministry.
"So part of this review will give Fiji an outlook on his national security strategy which involves what we as Fijians defined for ourselves in terms of how we want to be guarded in terms of our defence and security and how we look at the region and the world as a whole."
The Fijian government has selected a former military man, Colonel Sanday, to lead the process after a "long, detailed and competitive process that embodies our commitment to transparency".
Tikoduadua said his appointment marked a "pivotal moment" and "heralds a new chapter in Fiji's journey towards a more secure and a vibrant future".
However, Tikoduadua acknowledged that Colonel Sanday was the RFMF chief of staff when Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka executed his coup in 1987.
When asked if Rabuka was conformable with Sanday's appointment, Tikoduadua said: "Yes, absolutely. In fact, the Prime Minister…I can say [was] very influential in this process, in terms of motivating him to apply for the review."
"As we embark on this national conversation, Sandy's guidance will be instrumental in shaping the review to reflect our unique region identity and values."
Military boss Commander Kalouniwai said the review is "very appropriate".
"It's something that we need in terms of the government actually helping the defence space within the country to actually having a defensive sector framework that can actually help the RFMF in terms of defining its responsibilities, how it wants to modernise in the future," he said.
He said the RFMF has a strategic plan in place but that is not guided by a defence review or a national security strategy.
"Now that we have this in place it provides us with an opportunity to also review our own strategic plan and see how we can fit into this particular framework that the government is moving towards."
The review begins in February and is expected to end in August next year, following which a report is expected to be table in parliament in November.