Editorial: End the era of impunity

For the first time in nearly four decades, the Re­public of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has pub­licly acknowledged its role in the coups that scarred our beloved nation since 1987.

That admission, made by RFMF Commander Ma­jor-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai in his submission to the Constitution Review Commission yesterday, de­serves salute and recognition.

Not because it erases the past, but because it confronts it. Real leadership by military leaders begins with accepting responsi­bility. Former U.S. Navy SEAL leaders Jocko Willink and Leif Babin wrote in their book - Extreme Own­ership that leaders must "own everything" in their world, including failures.

This is reflected in the RFMF's willingness yester­day to admit its part in Fiji's political instability. But words alone cannot heal Fiji. The call to remove constitutional immunity for those responsible for unconstitutional actions is timely.

Immunity has protected perpetrators from accountability while victims carried the burden of loss, broken families and shattered dreams. Justice delayed for 39 years has never become justice denied.

Coups should never again be disguised as acts of Fiji's interest. No institution, no commander, no poli­tician and no individual should be above the law. The Constitution must clearly define the military's role, remove the legal grey areas that enabled interven­tion, and bring back civilian democratic government rule.

Peace built on silence is fragile. Stability built on fear is temporary. Lasting peace is built on justice. This is what Fijians need. Fiji has spent 39 years re­pairing the political, economic and moral damage caused by the four coups.

Our future generations need a Constitution that implicates those who cause civil unrest. It is time to remove impunity from the Constitution. Let accountability - not immunity be­come the foundation of Fiji's democracy.

Only then can Fijians finally bury the darkest chapters in our history and move forward united under the rule of law.