Republic of Fiji Military Forces commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai at the reconciliation and restoration service on Wednesday. 25 September 2024 Photo: Facebook / Republic of Fiji Military Forces
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is committed to turn over a new leaf and end the country's coup culture.
This is the assurance given by the military chief Ratu Jone Kalouniwai following the presidential pardon of the main instigator of the May 2000 coup George Speight and the leader of the November 2000 mutiny Shane Stevens.
Speaking to senior military officers on Wednesday, as part of the RFMF's efforts towards reconciliation for the past actions of the military, Kalouniwai said the Speight and Stevens' release "must not move us…in our commitment to the RFMF reconciliation process".
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He said the Mercy Commission had followed due process under the country's 2013 Constitution and the military would respect that decision.
Kalouniwai's comments were shared via a statement on the RFMF Facebook page.
Fiji 2000 coup leader George Speight receives his Presidential pardon letter on 18 September 2024. Photo: Fiji Corrections Service
It is the first time he has spoken publicly on Speight's release, putting to rest suggestions that Speight's release from prison would upset the military ranks.
Kalouniwai and the most senior officers in the military ranks agreed that the coups of 2000 and 2006 were "key moments in Fiji's political history".
They agreed that the events were a result of "pivotal leadership decisions that have left lasting scars on the nation".
"The motivation of this reconciliation is not for us to find who is at fault or who is the perpetrator of the past political crisis, but for us to find a common ground where we can stand together to move forward," he was quoted as saying.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces senior officers at the reconciliation and restoration service on Wednesday. 25 September 2024 Photo: Facebook / Republic of Fiji Military Forces
The RFMF statement said the institution's focus is on healing and unity rather than being swayed by past grievances.
It said "renewed commitment to ethical leadership and accountability moving forward" were the central themes of the dialogue within the military on Wednesday.
"The RFMF aims to create an environment where such mistakes are not repeated, and where the values of integrity, respect, and service to the nation are upheld," it said.