Leave the RFMF out of politics – Commander

Leave the Republic of Fiji Military Forces out of politics as it does not want to be involved in any political discussions.

Those are the words of RFMF Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga following criticisms levelled against the military after The Age newspaper from Australia printed an article on Tikoitoga a few days ago.

In the article, it said that the new head of RFMF has admitted that citizens have been beaten and tortured by the military to ensure that there is no civil disorder.

Speaking to Fijivillage, Brigadier General Tikoitoga said everyone knows that some people were taken to task after the December 2006 coup because there was a threat that they were instigating violence by creating antigovernment movements.

He stressed that was done at the time for the overall safety, security and wellbeing of the people of Fiji.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga also said times were different back in December 2006.

However, he said that he did not confirm to the Australian newspaper that people were tortured at the time.

The Army Commander also said that The Age newspaper is misleading people by suggesting that these things are happening just over two months away from the general elections.

He said the interview was also done about two months ago.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga said he has made his stand clear that the RFMF is not involved in politics.

In a statement, a lecturer in journalism at the University of the South Pacific Dr Matthew Thompson said the new military chief’s endorsement of torture in The Age article to silence critics is disgusting.

Doctor Thompson questioned the Army Commander on whether Fijian soldiers beat and torture people they see as troublemakers while on peacekeeping missions.

He said that Tikoitoga seems to be sending a strong message to Fijians to shut up and fall in line.

Doctor Matthew Thompson of USP further said that the military does not seem to have a clue about democracy.

Former Opposition Leader and SODELPA nominee Mick Beddoes also said that the statement attributed to the Army Commander that there were people trying to instigate violence and that there were militant groups is a figment of his imagination.

Beddoes claimed that the only instability in Fiji back in 2006 was the military and any act of militancy was by the military itself.

The Army Commander stressed that the commentators should leave the RFMF out of political discussions before the elections because it does not want to be involved in these issues.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga reiterated that the RFMF will only look after the safety and security of the citizens of the country.

He said commentators should also analyze media reports before just making assumptions and releasing statements.

Meanwhile, USP’s Acting Journalism Coordinator Patrick Craddock confirmed that their comments on the Army Commander is based on the report from The Age newspaper.