FIJI’S military officers now understand that deep-rooted social, political and economic challenges cannot be resolved by military means.
This has been highlighted in the newly-released National Security and Defence Review (NSDR), which was launched in Suva yesterday.
The report highlighted the deep erosion of trust in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) that followed each coup.
“The 2013 Constitution has not helped restore trust by widening the mandate of the RFMF under Section 131 (2) which introduced a guardian role for the military,” the report said.
“The concern surrounding the RFMF is primarily a legacy of its actions in the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006. Stakeholders within the civil service and civil society organisations were quick to relay their experiences of abuses that took place at the hands of the security forces.”
Those civil society representatives and NGOs who shared their experiences with the review team also spoke about the suppression and abuse of their human and civil rights during the coups and their aftermath.
The report said other stakeholders also identified the risk of future military intervention in politics.
“Some stakeholders consulted by the review team reported that the immunity provisions in the 2013 Constitution promotes a coup culture and that it is bad for Fiji.
“The leadership of the RFMF is aware of the low and fragile levels of community trust in them, and the reasons behind this. Steps are being taken to address this trust deficit through the RFMF Reconciliation and Restoration initiative.
“To their credit, the military leadership now understands the grave impact of a coup on state stability, national development and social cohesion. They are also acutely aware of the reputational damage it has caused Fiji as a nation and to the legitimacy and credibility of the RFMF.”
The NSDR also said these events had affected the mental health of RFMF members, their families and their livelihoods.
“They are now wary of the risks of future coups and insurrection. Some senior officers expressed concern about the risk of future coups by trusted insiders operating in collusion with external provocateurs or insurgents who set out to corrupt segments of the military for political ends.
“As a safeguard, the military identified the importance of force protection measures such as a contact reporting system, personal security vetting and internal security controls, especially for weapons and ammunition.”
The report said the RFMF has also demanded greater clarity in their legislated mandate as stipulated under the Constitution.
