Fiji military chief opposes immunity for past coup makers

Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), has urged the Fijian Parliament to reject proposed constitutional amendments that would grant immunity to individuals involved in past coups.

Speaking to a Special Parliamentary Committee, Kalouniwai argued that the military must be accountable to the people rather than being protected by legal loopholes. He described a systemic “architecture of rebellion” that has historically relied on secrecy, fear, misplaced loyalty, and constitutional immunity to legitimize illegal actions. He noted that the RFMF did not act with “clean hands” during the coups of 1987, 2000, and 2006.

The military's stance comes as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who led coups in 1987, suggested the nation relies on the military to maintain order during disruptions. Kalouniwai emphasized that removing immunity provisions restores ordinary law and ensures soldiers cannot be used as weapons against the citizenry.