The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) formally declared its opposition to proposed coup immunity provisions before a Special Parliamentary Committee, urging lawmakers to restore ordinary law and embrace accountability to the public.
The Architecture of Rebellion and the Push for Chapter 14 Removal
Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai presented the military’s submission last week regarding the government’s proposed Constitution (Amendment) Bill. According to rnz.co.nz, the RFMF commander told lawmakers that the institution does not come before parliament with clean hands, acknowledging its central role in overturning the constitutional order during the political overthrows of 1987, 2000, and 2006.
The Fiji Sun reported that the military formally declared its stance on October 16, 2026, stating that it wishes to surrender the constitutional protections currently afforded under Section 206. Kalouniwai explained to the committee that successive military interventions relied on a systemic architecture of rebellion built upon four distinct pillars: secrecy, governance through fear, misplaced loyalty to individuals, and constitutional immunity.
Each coup did not simply break the law, but rewrote it so that the breach became legitimate. The RFMF wants Chapter 14 removed entirely, proposing that it be replaced with a Truth, Accountability, and Reconciliation Commission where protection would remain conditional on full disclosure rather than blanket impunity.
Weighing Civilian Authority Against Past Precedents
The military’s public position arrives as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the committee that the nation relies on the armed forces to maintain law and order during periods of disruption. Rabuka, who led the 1987 military coup against an elected government as a military general, has previously signaled the possibility of future military intervention if governance changes do not proceed as planned.
Despite the Prime Minister’s stance, Kalouniwai maintained that the armed forces refuse to accept advance immunity for future actions. He emphasized that removing these provisions convicts no one, but simply restores ordinary legal protections.
As reported by the Fiji Sun, Kalouniwai noted that no court ordered the decision and no government demanded it, describing the move as a willing sacrifice intended to demonstrate an authentic commitment to civilian rule. The commander stressed that immunity had historically protected those who held power rather than ordinary citizens, fostering an environment where corruption and drug-related issues take root because the public loses faith in systemic fairness.
The Moral Axis and Upcoming Parliamentary Deliberations
Framing the debate around what he termed a moral axis, Kalouniwai contrasted governance driven by fear, secrecy, and protection for the powerful against governance defined by covenant, truth, and accountability. He warned lawmakers that the constitutional amendment will inevitably push Fiji toward one of those two realities.
The RFMF accepted civilian authority without condition under Section 151 and pledged full cooperation with any lawful process of accountability. With the Special Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 32 of 2026, the armed forces have urged parliament to consider these recommendations before advancing the legislation further.
