RFMF awaits government decision on Gaza peacekeeping invitation

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai says the military will await the Government’s decision on whether Fiji will deploy troops to Gaza following an invitation to take part in a possible peacekeeping mission.

The invitation was extended by the United States as part of broader international discussions on a peacekeeping presence in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. However, Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua has yet to confirm whether Fiji will commit troops to the mission.

Major General Kalouniwai said any decision on deployment rests solely with the Government.

“We follow what the government decides,” he said.

The RFMF Commander acknowledged that a potential mission in Gaza would differ significantly from Fiji’s traditional peacekeeping deployments, which have largely been carried out under United Nations mandates over the past four to five decades.

“We’ve been serving in peacekeeping for the past 40 to 50 years, but this is a different scenario,” Major General Kalouniwai said.

“There’s always a first time for everything.”

He cautioned that Fiji was not yet in a position to confidently commit troops, noting that extensive preparation, consultation and capability assessments would be required before any deployment.

“I’m not saying that we are confident of going. There’s a lot that needs to be done,” he said.

“We need to get ourselves in order. The right capabilities need to be in place.”

Major General Kalouniwai said these considerations would form part of ongoing consultations should the Government decide to pursue the invitation.

“We prepare. And if the government says go, then it’s a go. If it doesn’t, then we don’t,” he said.