Don’t use race and religion for political gain - RFMF

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces says once again, we are hearing the usual rhetoric coming in different shapes and forms using communal divisions through ethnicity, race and religion to push a specific agenda for political gains.

The RFMF says the National Federation Party President Pio Tikoduadua’s statement that the people’s security lies with the goodwill of all communities particularly the iTaukei cannot go unchallenged, given what the constitution mandates the RFMF which is the overall responsibility to ensure at all times the security, defense and well‑being of Fiji and all Fijians.

RFMF’s Chief of Staff Colonel Jone Kalouniwai says this effort to rebut intends to re‑emphasize the same confidence and trust in the RFMF’s continued relevance as an institution ensuring security in the shaping of our nation’s destiny as it increasingly gains greater stature in the comity of nations.

The RFMF says whilst it continues in its efforts in being apolitical, it will continue to play a pivotal role towards nation building.

It says unfortunately, statements like Pio Tikoduadua’s certainly have the potential of becoming an engine for ethno‑nationalism.

The military says statements as such have the potential of only influencing and breeding suspicion, distrust, ethnic tensions and potentially lead to conflict.

Colonel Kalouniwai says the RFMF today with a renewed spirit of nationhood will continue to play a significant role in fostering the spirit of inclusive growth as enunciated by Government, and always guarantee and ensure that our rights, identity, culture, religion and land are protected, enshrined and safeguarded in our constitution for all times

Colonel Kalouniwai says this has become even more relevant today in a globalized and interdependent world where nation states are political units in an international system, representing the citizens’ aspirations.

He says the current government’s National Security Strategy a first ever of its kind by any Fijian government, reinforces this responsibility of the People’s Security in a framework that looks at Comprehensive Security.

The RFMF says this framework capitalizes on a whole government approach that would in turn act as an instrument to achieve life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

It says the process of nation building by the current government aims at the unification of the people within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable in the long run.

The RFMF says the pillars of nation building in this 21st century look towards Security, Justice, Economic Development and a form or process of civil government or constitution.

It says security comes first in the packing order because the other three pillars function effectively only if the security threshold on the nation, both internal and external, remains intact.

The RFMF says their very own National Security Strategy has identified the sustainable well‑being of Fiji and all Fijians at the top of its list of its five identified security priorities for Fiji. In this context, the smooth functioning of democracy brings in its wake social justice and economic development.

Tikoduadua had said at the NFP Convention earlier this month that everyone’s rights is guaranteed in the 2013 constitution and he believes that people’s security lies with the goodwill of all communities particularly the Itaukei.

Tikoduadua said fear and the race card should never be used going into the 2018 general elections.

He said the RFMF should never take any side and should only ensure that everyone is protected.

When contacted, Tikoduadua said that he has received the RFMF statement and he will reply in due course.