The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is more than just the “uniform they wear and guns they carry”.
During an interview on The Lens@177, Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai defended the RFMF and said there were several reasons why the RFMF was still relevant.
“One, I would say, is it provides employment for over 5000 troops, members of the RFMF,” he said.
With shifting dynamics occur at international, regional, and national levels, alongside geopolitics, he said there were a lot of conditions which would require the assistance of the members of the RFMF.
“We just had the COVID issue that came out, the RFMF was heavily involved in that, even though it wasn’t their responsibility.”
He said the RFMF was part of a comprehensive and wide spectrum of security.
“It’s just a matter of people understanding how the RFMF can actually get involved with these specific roles.
“People look at the RFMF just in terms of the uniform they wear and the guns they carry.”
Ro Kalouniwai said the stigma which came out because of the coups also limited the understanding that the RFMF played a much more multi-faceted role when it came to security.
He was also asked if he would accept a reduction in numbers of his institution should the new National Defence and Safety Review call for it.
“That’s a good question, but at the same time, it is a very difficult question for me to answer, but we live in an age now where the RFMF is subservient to Government, and we have to abide by whatever recommendation.
“At the same time, there is an opportunity for me as Commander of the RFMF to try to argue or justify why we need to maintain this number, why we need to maintain the RFMF as it is.
“There has been a lot of discussion on the productivity, what is the productivity of the RFMF?
“I just had a meeting a few days ago where the Prime Minister mentioned the only things that came out of the leaders meeting in Tonga were praises for RFMF’s participation in peacekeeping.”
He said the RFMF was also commended for their role within the region in terms of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
“So, productivity is something people look at in terms of dollar value. The RFMF has a different way of doing things.
“I would definitely look for that (more officers) because the RFMF has a lot to do for this country.”
