The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has made a historic submission to the Constitution Review Commission, calling for the removal of constitutional immunity provisions.

Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai declared that the military is prepared to step away from legal protections that have shielded past unconstitutional actions.

He acknowledged the military’s role in Fiji’s political instability since 1987 and said the institution was seeking a path of accountability and national reconciliation.

He adds that the RFMF had not merely witnessed Fiji’s recurring political crises but had, at times, built and maintained the system that contributed to them.

“We will not say this lightly, nor without genuine remorse, for the part our institution has played in guarding a system that has fractured the moral soul of our nation.”

Kalouniwai said the military recognised that its recommendations carried significant consequences, including potential legal risks for officers and soldiers.

“By calling for an end to what this submission terms the mark of impunity, we voluntarily step out from behind the legal protections that have long covered our institution.”

He said some within the military might view the move as a breach of loyalty but argued that
the survival of any single institution can no longer be purchased at the expense of this nation’s soul.