The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has raised concerns with regard to the sweeping changes of the current government to establish a firm transition of power and democratic control as the government of the day.
In a statement released today, Commander of the RFMF, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said it has quietly observed with growing concern over the last few days. The ambition and speed of the government in implementing these sweeping changes are creating shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures that protect the integrity of the law and the Constitution.
Kalouniwai said that whilst the RFMF recognises the justifications by the current government to establish these changes, the RFMF believes that trying and failing to democratise in adverse circumstances has the potential to bring about fateful, long-term national security consequences.
“The RFMF is concerned, whether these rapid changes are being pursued without a full understanding of the process and procedures or intentionally done to challenge the integrity of the Law and the Constitution of this land.”
“Whatever the reasons may be, the RFMF feels that such actions and decisions is putting at risk the very nature of the Law and the separation of powers that clearly demarcate the independence of the three arms of government.”
The Commander said that given that Fiji is a very new democracy and given our unfortunate past experience of governments exceeding or attempting to exceed their powers, section 131 of the Constitution ensures that the RFMF plays a guardian role where the excesses of the past are not repeated and any new assaults on our emerging democracy are not tolerated.
Kalouniwai said this provision is also in place to ensure that the values and principles of democracy, including the checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution, are not undermined.
“The RFMF firmly believes that the separation of powers between the executive and the judicial arms of the state must be respected.”
“It must be important to understand and appreciate that a strong rule of law is built on respect for and adherence to a clear separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary,” Kalouniwai added.
