Fiji’s coup-prone military force says it's going to face up to its troubled past by reaching out to those it has wronged and will seek reconciliation, the head of the force, General Jone Kalouniwai says. While his admission is startling, it is the product of a persuasive and hard-working woman, member of parliament Sashi Kiran. She put it this way:
‘I was angry and blessed to join the peace process and took the time to look at my stereotypes, to look at the fears of the people, learn the concerns of the people and realise if the communities are hurting.’
The Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF), which is made up of 3,500 full time soldiers and perhaps another 3000 reservists; the actual size is not published. (NOTE: in an earlier version of this I said 6500 active soldiers and 6200 reservists but this may not be accurate), has been a central player in the 1987 coups, the 2000 coup and the 2006 coup.
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