Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua says the RFMF must remain under civilian control and never again intervene in politics.

Speaking in parliament, Tikoduadua said Fiji’s history had shown the consequences of military involvement in governance, saying it weakened democratic institutions, damaged economic confidence and reduced public trust in the disciplined forces.
“Military intervention in politics weakened democratic institutions, damaged economic confidence, divided communities and diminished trust in the disciplined forces.”

He said the honour of military service lies in serving the people with discipline, courage and restraint.

“The honour of military service is not found in governing the people. It is found in serving them with discipline, courage and restraint. A professional military does not decide who should govern. It protects the constitutional system through which the people make that decision.”

The Minister said one of the government’s major achievements had been returning defence to its proper place within a constitutional democracy by affirming that the disciplined forces exist to serve the people and remain subject to lawful civilian authority.

He also warned that without civilian oversight, institutions created to protect the nation could begin to believe they stand above it, adding that accountability protects the integrity of the military and preserves public trust.

Tikoduadua said the distinction between the roles of the Fiji Police Force and the RFMF must be maintained, noting that while the military may provide specialist support when lawfully authorised, it should not become a substitute for civilian policing.

He said the coalition government had placed democracy, accountability, human rights and the rule of law at the centre of national security policy and that lasting security would be built on institutions that remain lawful regardless of who is in power.