FIJI must move beyond words and take real action to build national unity, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Mr Rabuka said the People’s Coalition Government is already doing just that.
“I have not only spoken about the need for national unity, but I have actually done a fair amount of work on bringing this about,” he said in A Conversation with the PM column.
He highlighted the establishment of a four-member Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which will travel across the country to support truth-telling and healing.
“Some of our people need closure from historic pain and trauma.”
Mr Rabuka also pointed to key government steps, including the return of the Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day public holiday and the declaration of Girmit Day as a national holiday.
“The Coalition Government not only talks about national unity, but we also actually walk the talk by implementing policies and initiatives that make Fiji and all its multi-ethnic and multicultural communities more united.”
He stressed that Fiji still needs to learn how to embrace its shared identity through national pride in sport and service.
“Our Rugby 7s women’s and men’s teams, our 15s Fijiana and Fijian Drua rugby teams… and our peacekeeping troops – these are ‘National Heroes’ that we as Fijians should accept as ‘all ethnicities’ icons”.
But the Prime Minister warned that unity is being undermined by divisive voices on social and mainstream media.
“We have repeatedly succumbed to social, even mainstream media personnel ‘colouring’ of keyboard self-proclaimed experts, editors and publishers and politicians.
Calling for a stronger national identity, he said: “We must recognise and accept Fiji as one unit and reject the subdividing influences… that kill ‘unity’.”
