The Great Council of Chiefs has voiced its support for a truth-telling initiative as a crucial aspect of the national reconciliation process in Fiji. Chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula emphasized the importance of identifying those involved in past upheavals as a vital step towards healing the nation. This stance comes in response to renewed calls for transparency surrounding previous coups, notably raised by Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu.
Seruiratu’s calls for the disclosure of names followed Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s involvement in the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission program last year. While acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue, Rabuka has stated that the decision on what should be disclosed rests with the commission itself.
Ratu Seruvakula affirmed the GCC’s support for the truth and reconciliation initiative, highlighting its role in beginning national healing. He echoed sentiments expressed by Mick Beddoes regarding the military’s need to recognize the suffering of those affected by earlier conflicts, even if many current military members were not directly involved in those decisions.
Furthermore, Ratu Seruvakula pointed out that many personnel in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces were either not born or not of age during the previous upheavals. He stressed that honestly confronting the past is essential for the nation’s progress.
In terms of the Restoration and Reconciliation Program led by Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, Ratu Seruvakula commended ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in the military. He urged the public to allow time for the reconciliation process, advocating for both victims and perpetrators to have the opportunity to share their experiences. This open dialogue is seen as a vital step towards fostering unity and achieving a more peaceful future.