RFMF will continue to carry out its constitutional role - Commander Naupoto

The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto says they are closely monitoring things as the country goes to the elections next year.

Commander Naupoto says they do not want any instability and the military will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibility to ensure the security, defence and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians.

The Army Commander has made this clear after the RFMF’s statement released on the military’s concern about the recent statements by the Methodist Church of Fiji highlighting its five‑point submission that has the potential of provoking the re‑emergence of deep rooted racial issues that encouraged and caused past periods of ethnic tension and instability within the country.

Commander Naupoto says the RFMF is concerned that a prominent religious organization such as the Methodist Church of Fiji is vocalizing the supposed marginalization and agitation of the iTaukei in its five‑point submission.

He says these issues have the potential to influence and breed suspicion, distrust, heightening ethnic tensions and potentially lead to conflict.

The RFMF believes that all religions must work for inclusiveness and recognise the equality of all in the one family of God.

Naupoto says the RFMF is of the strong view that the insistence of declaring Fiji a Christian state through the constitution will not make Fiji Christian.

He says it is through the exemplary lives of committed Christians and other denominations in Fiji that will have that lasting effect for good.

The Army Commander says they do not want people to be swayed by misinformation.

Commander Naupoto says the strategic challenges include trans-national crimes, the non-traditional threats like cyclones and at the core of it is the protection of our sovereignty.

He says at the same time the RFMF wants to ensure that a stable environment is created.

Commander Naupoto stresses that people have to be mindful of the effects of the things that they say and the things they stand for, and project the truth and we can preserve the peace and the economic prosperity that currently prevails in Fiji.

According to information received by Fijivillage, the Methodist Church in Fiji has asked the government not to enact proposed village by laws, the Great Council of Chiefs to be reinstated and Fiji to be made a Christian State.

The five‑point submission put up by the church’s standing committee also want immediate open consultation with the iTaukei along with the removal of 17 decrees and policies which the church claims breach ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the rights of the indigenous people.

The Methodist Church also wants an extended timeline to review the proposed village by laws and review the 2013 Constitution.

They are again calling for the review of the constitution and also want Fiji to be a Christian state, in accordance with the clear stipulations of the Deed of Cession, and the wishes of the chiefs and people of Fiji, as expressed in the “Wakaya Letter”.

The RFMF statement says that it does guarantee and ensure that our rights, identity, culture, religion and land are protected, enshrined and safeguarded in our constitution for all times.