RFMF Commander proposes civilian judges for new military court
Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai announced that the military is moving to overhaul its internal disciplinary processes by introducing civilian judges to a newly proposed military court. The structural changes form part of the Constitution Review Commission’s report on a proposed new supreme law, which seeks to dismantle decades-old regulations that previously kept officer misconduct shielded under strict confidentiality clauses.
Civilian Judges and Open Courts Proposed for Fiji Military
Dismantling Decades of Institutional Secrecy
Major General Kalouniwai stated that institutional secrecy is no longer viable within a modern security environment. Under Chapter 10 of the commission’s report, the military court system would alter traditional internal proceedings, opening courtroom doors to ensure fairness across all ranks.
“We want to be very transparent with what we’re doing, looking at the way the world is moving, looking at the way things are happening today,” Major General Kalouniwai said. He noted that the regulations the armed forces previously followed were very old and historically provided substantial privacy protections based on rank.
Removing Barriers to Equal Accountability
These past protections created perception gaps regarding how senior officers were held accountable compared to enlisted personnel. The proposed guidelines intend to remove those barriers, ensuring all breaches face equal visibility so soldiers can clearly observe when officers are at fault.
Strengthening Public Trust and Internal Discipline
According to the Commander, public oversight serves a dual purpose by reinforcing internal discipline while simultaneously strengthening public trust in the armed forces. By making proceedings accessible, the military aims to ensure that justice within the institution is visibly executed.