Waqavonovono Forgives 2006 Military Violence

For Pita Waqavonovono, the memories of Christmas Eve 2006 remain vivid — the fear, the beatings and the humiliation he and others endured at the hands of the military.

Nineteen years later, he finally heard the words he had long waited for: “We are sorry.”

Former senior military officers Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara and Pita Driti personally apologised to Mr Waqavonovono and others from the so-called Democracy Five during a private reconciliation ceremony (matanigasau) in Tamavua on Tuesday night.

Those present included Imraz Iqbal Ali, who joined via Zoom, and Laisa Digitaki. It is understood that Jackie Koroi and Virisila Buadromo, who were also detained and assaulted that night, could not attend.

The two former officers, both key figures in the 2006 military takeover, expressed remorse and sought forgiveness for the violence committed against civilians who had spoken out against the regime.

“We listened to their side of the story and accepted their apology,” Mr Waqavonovono said after the ceremony.

“We also thanked them for acknowledging that what happened to us was wrong. Hearing those words meant a lot. It takes courage to admit that after so many years.”

Mr Waqavonovono, who was 19 at the time he was detained, said the event brought both closure and reflection.

“They didn’t have to do it. Under the 2013 Constitution, they are protected by immunity. But they came anyway to say sorry — that really means a lot,” he said.

On Christmas Eve 2006, Mr Waqavonovono and others were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, where they were beaten and tortured. They were later forced to run to Lami, chased by military trucks. The group’s Democracy Shrine and the Fiji Living magazine office in Lami were later ransacked and destroyed. Days earlier, Imraz Ali’s InFocus Arts office had been burnt down.

Despite the painful memories, Mr Waqavonovono said he received the gesture with humility, especially because both Ratu Tevita and Mr Driti share traditional and family ties with him.

“I no longer saw their uniforms or ranks,” he said.
“I saw my chief and my vasu. It was deeply emotional.”

He said the apology was an important step for Fiji’s wider healing, aligning with the Coalition Government’s Peace and Reconciliation initiative.

“It helps victims find closure, but it also gives the perpetrators a chance to heal,” he said.
“Forgiveness is a two-way process — both sides have to come together.”

Mr Waqavonovono also urged the public to focus on accountability and leadership rather than blaming individual soldiers.

“We shouldn’t blame soldiers for wars that politicians create,” he said.
“The real failure has always been the lack of political will to build a democracy that serves all Fijians. We still have a long way to go.”