Minister for Defence, Pio Tikoduadua has questioned whether Fiji should continue committing to every peacekeeping request, or if it’s time to reassess the scale, alignment, and sustainability of its deployments.
While speaking in parliament, Tikoduadua says that peacekeeping is a moral and civic duty, not just a military one, and highlighted the evolving challenges peacekeepers face today, including cyber threats, drones, and politicised missions.
Tikoduadua also announced that the government is developing a National Peacekeeping Strategy — a comprehensive framework that will redefine Fiji’s peacekeeping role, establish clear mission criteria and measure success in military, moral and diplomatic terms.
In response, Opposition MP Vijay Nath urged the government to shift from high-level strategies to practical, ground-level support that genuinely improves the livelihoods, health, and happiness of soldiers and their families.
Nath also supported the pride Fiji holds for its peacekeepers, calling them heroes whose sacrifices built Fiji’s reputation on the global stage; however, he stressed the need to improve the welfare of military personnel, both during and after service.
He also called for greater attention to aftercare, noting that the current system is not enough and needs to be more robust and comprehensive.
