Republic of Fiji Military Forces Land Force Commander, Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga will become the new Army Commander from today.
Prime Minister and Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has confirmed to Fijivillage that he will officially hand over the position to Brigadier General Tikoitoga later this morning.
Tikoitoga who is 52 years old, is also promoted to the rank of Brigadier General as he takes up the new post.
He attended Dudley High School and Ratu Sukuna Memorial School.
Brigadier General Tikoitoga who is from Muani, Ravitaki, Kadavu has served in the RFMF for about 26 years after entering the officer cadet training programme in 1988.
An important step in Fiji's history will be taken today as Commodore Bainimarama, who has led the RFMF for 15 years and served in the RFMF for 39 years, steps down from the Army Commander's post.
This step has to be taken by Commodore Bainimarama as he has announced that he will form a political party this month.
From 1987 onwards, all the Army Commanders entered politics after stepping down from their posts.
Major General Rabuka who stepped down in 1992 started off the Soqosoqo Ni Vakavulewa Ni Taukei party.
He served as Prime Minister until 1999 when the SVT lost the elections.
Ratu Epeli Ganilau who served as Army Commander from 1992 to 1999 stepped down to start off his political career.
He joined the Christian Democratic Alliance party but fail to win a parliamentary seat.
Commodore Bainimarama took up the Army Commander's position in 1999.
He will now get ready to lead his new party to elections before September this year.
The handover ceremony will be held at Queen Elizabeth Barracks where the outgoing Commander is expected to give his final address to the troops.
The new Commander, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga will give his first speech as the Commander RFMF after the soldiers perform the full traditional welcome ceremony.
RFMF's Land Force Command's Chief Operations Officer, Colonel Amani Suliano said they are ready for the ceremony.
The towing out of the outgoing Army Commander from QEB will take place this afternoon and it will finish off with the beating of the retreat at about 5.30pm.
More than a thousand people are expected to attend the ceremony as members of the Territorial Forces, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international and regional organizations and senior members of the Methodist Church have been invited.
Stay with us for coverage of the handing over ceremony of the RFMF Commander.
