Commander in control of his men: Minister Tikoduadua

The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, is in control of his men.  

That’s the assurance from the Minister for Defence, Pio Tikoduadua, following recent events where actions of certain military officers had raised concerns over the leadership within the RFMF and the undertakings of the joint operation between the military and the Fiji Police Force.   

Recently, the RFMF came under public scrutiny following the death of Jone Vakarisi in military custody, the actions of some military officers, who allegedly roughed up a suspect in custody at the Samabula Police Station, and a viral footage showing military officers carrying weapons in the wee hours of the morning.   

Mr Tikoduadua addressed the viral footage of military officers, who appeared to be carrying guns and scouting the Public Rental Board Flats in Mead Road, Nabua.   

“People must understand that part of the military’s attire is a firearm, a weapon. You either carry a riffle, a pistol or a machine gun. Everyone is jumping up and down seeing soldier with weapons...that is the package. When you have a soldier walking there without a gun, that’s just someone walking there with a green uniform. It’s a natural thing for soldiers to deploy with guns,” he said in an exclusive interview.   

Mr Tikoduadua said soldiers were mostly unarmed at checkpoints, but this depended on the perceived level of threat at a certain location.   

“Carrying an arm is a message in itself, probably the situation is serious that warrants soldiers to carry arms.”