Commander Jone Kalouniwai claims “trying and failing to democratize” Fiji can have serious long-term implications on our national security,
Fiji’s military chief cautioned lawmakers on Tuesday against making “sweeping changes” less than a month after an election that removed the government of Frank Bainimarama, who ruled the Pacific island for 16 years after taking power in a coup.
On Tuesday, major general Jone Kalouniwai, commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), said the military would “like to raise its concerns with regards to the sweeping changes of the current government to establish a firm transition of power and Kalouniwai’s statement, reported in local media, does not mention any specific issues with the government but does say unidentified “changes are creating shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures”.
The current Prime Minister of the Island Nation is Sitiveni Rabuka, who was narrowly voted by a coalition of parties to install him as the leader of the important pacific island nation.
Fijian military’s concerns
The military has flagged concerns with regards to the sweeping changes of the current government to establish a firm transition of power and democratic control as the government of the day.” He added “the RFMF believes that trying and failing to democratize in adverse circumstances has the potential to bring about fateful, long-term national security consequences,”
According to an earlier report in the Fiji Sun newspaper, the government had said it would review Fiji’s 2013 constitution, which gives the military responsibility to uphold the well-being of its citizens and is viewed by some analysts as giving the military the constitutional power to intervene in politics.
The possibility of dwindling military control over national affairs, by a constitutional overhaul is a matter of concern for the military which has traditionally had an extra-constitutional responsibility for the governance of Fiji to ensure peace, stability and practice, and adherence to good governance.
Fijian Military powers
Under Fiji’s constitution, which was adopted in 2013, the military has a wide range of powers to intervene in politics. The new government under the leadership of prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called for reviewing the constitution as one of its immediate priorities.
The constitution of Fiji continues the tradition of granting the military a special role as ultimate upholders of security and stability. Under Section 131(2) of the constitution, the military is granted ‘overall responsibility … to ensure at all times the security, defense and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians’. Under Chapter 10 of the constitution, the military also enjoys extensive and unamendable immunity for all coup-related actions.
Fiji’s Democracy
on Dec 24. Source -AP
On December 24, 2022, former military commander Sitiveni Rabuka was elected as the Prime Minister as he was narrowly voted by a coalition of parties. He had won against Baininirama, who had ruled Fiji for 16 years.
Fiji’s path to democracy has been tumultuous. It has had a history of military coups since 1987, and the current Prime Minister has a share of two coups staged by him in 1987. It has dealt with four coups in the past 35 years.
Fiji has been pivotal in the South Pacific’s response to increasing competition for influence between China and the United States. However, Rabuka has said he favors western-style democracy and states democratic control as the government of the day”.
The military commander soon after was called to a meeting by Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua, who holds responsibility for the military in the new government. The latter issued a statement on Facebook saying “assured the commander that all the government’s actions have been guided by the law”.
They had exchanged views frankly, Tikoduadua said, and “we both believe in the rule of law, democracy … and respecting the will of the people through the outcome of the 2022 general election and protecting that decision, let come what may.”
Fiji’s democratic values had been eroded under the previous government, he said, and “our institutions are absorbing the impact of a new government with different ideas and new priorities”.
Some say change is occurring too fast. Others say not fast enough,” he said.
Hours after issuing the statement, however, he said the military would continue to “honor the current government that is in place”. “Let me just reassure the public that the RFMF will continue to stand with democracy, we will continue to respect the law.”
