THE President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, for the first time, publicly thanked Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Brigadier General Ro Jone Kalouniwai for standing his ground following the 2022 General Elections which gave way to a new government.
In addressing the 156 peacekeeping soldiers who returned from Iraq, Ratu Naiqama praised Commander Kalouniwai for staying united with his team in addressing the situation.
“Au via vavinavina’a talega vei na Commander ni mataivalu Ro Jone Kalouniwai ena nona veiliutaki vina’a ena lewe ni mataivalu. (I want to also thank the Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai, for his steadfast leadership in leading the military),” he said.
“He was grounded, steady and just in allowing that the people’s choice to elect a new government falls through and it is the government we have today.
“This year, is our 55th year of independence and many changes have happened even in the political field, our relationship in a multi-cultural nation and we will continue to work together.”
Commander Kalouniwai, when asked about Ratu Naiqama’s comments said: “We just did our job.”
“Whatever happened that made the choice of the people, that’s theirs.
“We just thought it was proper for us to go back to our core responsibilities and live up to our mandate, just to honour the democratic process and respect the votes of the people.”
Commander Kalouniwai also thanked his men for upholding peacekeeping duties in Iraq, which has ended following the United Nations decision to withdraw their service.
