Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) will include perspectives from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) in its national investigation into the root causes and impacts of the country’s political upheavals since 1987.
The announcement follows a meeting between the two institutions in Suva this week to discuss collaboration on truth-telling and civic healing.
The Commission also requested the RFMF’s cooperation by providing access to documents, testimonies and participating in joint engagement activities.
Representatives from the RFMF provided the Commission with an overview of their internal Reconciliation and Restoration Process. Dr. Marcus Brand, Chairperson of the FTRC, described this process as “courageous and forward-leaning.” He praised it for its commitment to engaging with former service members, leaders, and survivors from all sides of Fiji’s political crises.
The RFMF highlighted its commitment to ensuring that past mistakes are not repeated and that its role in upholding Fiji’s constitutional order remains grounded in service to all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, background, or political affiliation.
Both institutions affirmed that reconciliation is not a single event, but a continuous national journey. They jointly acknowledged the need for trauma-informed approaches, psychosocial support, interfaith dialogue, and the power of traditional storytelling in fostering dignity and unity.
The FTRC, currently in its preparatory phase, recently unveiled its visual identity and launched its first public-facing initiative—a national contact form to collect stories from survivors of political violence.
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