[Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/FACEBOOK PAGE]

Republic of Fiji Military Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai, has warned that passing the Constitution Amendment Bill at its third reading will make immunity permanent under section 207, placing it beyond the reach of the courts for generations to come.

Speaking before the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, Major General Kalouniwai urged members to use the opportunity to break Fiji’s cycle of coups and impunity.

He said Fiji has an opportunity to show that its highest law can change through the ballot box rather than military force.

“But I must speak plainly about the reality. Some of the choices before this Committee cannot be undone. Once this Bill passes its third reading, section 207 would make its immunity permanent and place it beyond the reach of the courts, for generations not yet born. If we fail to choose rightly now, our grandchildren will inherit the same mark of impunity we inherited, and the cycle will turn again.”

Major General Kalouniwai says they want the removal of constitutional immunity and that they do not want legal protection from accountability for past wrongdoing.

He adds that he signed a Declaration on Constitutional Immunity on October 16 on behalf of the RFMF, confirming the institution’s position.

“The RFMF does not seek the immunity in section 206, and we do not wish to receive it. We ask Parliament to remove Chapter 14. We accept, without condition, the civilian authority set out in section 151. And we will cooperate with any lawful process of accountability.”

The commander further states that a sacrifice made freely carries true moral power, whereas force teaches nothing.

He adds that giving up protection voluntarily – rather than by law or decree – holds the strength to change a nation.

He stressed that when they seriously pondered over this Bill, they did not first think of sections and subsections; they thought of people.

“We thought of a mother in our villages who rises before dawn, watches the price of rice and flour climb, and wonders whether her children will have a better life than hers. We thought of the young man in many of our settlements who has no voice in rooms like this one, the child who cannot yet speak for herself, the person living with a disability, the widow who asks only for dignity, and the families who lost sons, husbands and fathers in the dark chapters of our
history, and who are still waiting for the truth.”

The RFMF Commander acknowledged the RFMF’s central role in the events of 1987, 2000 and 2006, saying lives were lost, families were broken and some wounds remained unhealed.

The RFMF has proposed replacing Chapter 14 with a Truth, Accountability and Reconciliation Commission, where protection would depend on full disclosure and would not cover the gravest crimes.

The Commander said such a commission would give victims and affected families an opportunity to be heard.

He pledged that the RFMF would remain neutral during the referendum and general election and respect the outcome.