Now that the province of Lau has raised it, attention will surely shift to the role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
It talks about the Constitution and the role of the military. It pinpoints guardianship of the Constitution, connecting that to the people, Parliament and the courts. And never, it insists, should we be forced to do anything by the barrel of a gun.
In its submission this week to the Constitutional Review Commission, Lau recommended that Section 131(2) of the 2013 Constitution, the provision assigning the military responsibility for safeguarding Fiji’s security, defence and well-being, be removed in its entirety.
It argues that the wording could leave room for extra-constitutional intervention.
The province has also proposed changes to the role of the RFMF, maintaining that no constitutional provision should allow the military to determine for itself when intervention is necessary in the interests of the nation.
Fiji’s own history, it suggests, has demonstrated the dangers of such broad constitutional authority.
Ironically, the submission comes from a province whose paramount chief, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, is a former senior military officer involved in the events surrounding the 2006 coup before later falling out with former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
Lau says the military’s role should be confined to defending Fiji and carrying out duties prescribed by law under civilian and parliamentary oversight.
Attention has focused on the military after Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai called for the removal of the Constitution’s Immunity Clause.
In an unprecedented submission to the CRC, the RFMF acknowledged its place in Fiji’s history of political instability and declared its willingness to relinquish constitutional immunity.
The Commander said genuine national healing cannot be achieved while accountability remains beyond reach.
He acknowledged that such a position could expose members of the institution to legal consequences, but argued that serving the national interest must come before protecting the institution itself.
We consider this an extraordinary development. There would be a push for robust discussion about constitutional reform, the role of the military and the kind of democracy Fiji wants to build.
Understandably, there will be differing opinions, and that is just how democracy should function. We have got to accept that constitutional change must be shaped by open debate, respect and the free exchange of ideas.
Let’s accept that every Fijian has the right to express a view on the nation’s future.
Our history has been scarred by the coups of 1987 which were led by Sitiveni Rabuka, the George Speight-led coup of 2000 and the Voreqe Bainimarama-led coup of 2006. They were painful chapters that continue to influence our politics, institutions and national psyche.
And this is the special bit here. They remind us why constitutional democracy, civilian supremacy and the rule of law must be non-negotiable.
We say the RFMF has a responsibility to defend Fiji and protect its people. That duty is best fulfilled in support of the Constitution and the democratic institutions it serves.
And we have got to ensure that political change is determined only by the will of the people!
