Fiji’s navy chief warned Tuesday that reforms underneath new Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka could violate the structure, but additionally pledged to respect the legislation and “stand with democracy”.
Fiji has been shaken by 4 coups up to now 35 years, and the potential of navy intervention loomed over a good common election final month.
Rabuka’s victory ended the 16-year rule of former naval commodore Frank Bainimarama, who seized management of the Pacific archipelago via a putsch in 2006.
Underneath Fiji’s structure — adopted in 2013 — the navy has extensive powers to intervene in politics.
Rabuka’s authorities has mentioned that reviewing the structure is one in every of its speedy priorities.
In a press release “authorised” by Main Basic Jone Kalouniwai, the Republic of Fiji Navy Forces (RFMF) mentioned it had “rising concern” over the ambition and pace of the federal government’s “sweeping adjustments”.
The navy worries that the adjustments are being pursued “with out full understanding” of procedures or are being “deliberately accomplished to problem the integrity of the Regulation and the Structure of this land”, Kalouniwai mentioned.
Hours after issuing the assertion, nevertheless, he mentioned the navy would proceed to “honour the present authorities that’s in place”.
“Let me simply reassure the general public that the RFMF will proceed to face with democracy, we are going to proceed to respect the legislation,” Kalouniwai informed on-line information outlet fijivillage.com.
The navy chief didn’t single out any particular authorities reform for criticism.
Moreover the touted constitutional evaluate, Rabuka has mentioned that the federal government plans to arrange a “mercy fee” to determine on attainable presidential pardons or lowered sentences for convicts.
The prime minister has rejected media recommendations that the fee is aimed toward pardoning George Speight, a bankrupt businessman serving a life sentence after main a coup in 2000.
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