The recent rumbling by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces over a Cabinet ‘reshuffle’ announcement by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has people worried, and rightfully so”, says renowned Fijian academic Professor Steven Ratuva.
He said the intervention of the military in political governance through the justification of constitutionality “has raised some concern and needs addressing”.
“In particular, the interpretation of the constitutional provision relating to ‘security, defence and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians’ should be seriously discussed and addressed because the current interpretation seems at odds with the security role of the military,” the University of Canterbury Pro-Vice-Chancellor said.
“In other parts of the world, the military is only activated when there are serious external threats of invasion or internal threats of terrorism and violence.
“The fear is that the current interpretation of this particular constitutional provision by the military can be used as justification for another coup in the future.
“The whole nation is in a state of collective anxiety over this and it seems that we have not really steered clear of the long tail of the coup culture while still skirting dangerously around the margins of democracy.”
The Fiji Times sent questions to RFMF Commander Brigadier General Jone Kalouniwai who responded with a statement that the military expressed deep concern with the “non-consultative approach” taken by the Coalition Government in its decision to disapprove the UN’s resolution on Gaza.
He said the “decision has significant implications for the safety and security” of RFMF troops on peacekeeping duties in the Middle East.
