Fiji’s military manoeuvring ahead of elections

New commander bluntly intruding into local politics

Fiji has no land borders, no enemies and has never been invaded. Still it has 3500 active soldiers and 6000 reservists in an army given to immolation of itself and the nation every so often. So destabilizing is the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) that understanding the motives and beliefs of the man who commands it is vital. General Jone Kalouniwai, 53, appointed in August 2021 is already meddling in politics.

Fiji soldiers qt QEB. Pix Michael Field

In the last three months he defined the news media as state enemies. 

“In times of such national emergency, our leaders have good reasons to stifle criticism of their policies by curtailing freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” he wrote, referring to the Covid-19 epidemic which had been extensively spread in Fiji by RFMF failure to follow rules. 

“Leaders are apt to have deep concerns about this enemy within, which have been fuelled by irresponsible citizens selfishly breaking mandatory curfews, social distancing requirements and questioning the rationale of our leader’s decision to impose such restrictions.”

It is his role in a November 2000 military mutiny that has become sharply and politically relevant. Many Fijians want to “move on” from those events, and forget them, but Kalouniwai has scores to settle: “Many today have forgotten our past, whilst some have even purposefully erased it, hoping that what they did or were responsible for doesn’t catch up with them sooner or later.” 

General Jone Kalouniwai, Pix Australian War Memorial...

He is a political player who sees himself as kingmaker in Fiji’s general elections due in under a year and he is gunning for Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, 73, who is Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s key political rival.