Minister for Defence, Pio Tikoduadua has hit out at Unity Fiji Leader, Savenaca Narube, as he says that Narube's comments on the military show that he is grossly unprepared to deal with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the wider security issues facing Fiji.
Tikoduadua says this is not a minor political disagreement, it goes to the question of whether a person
understands the responsibilities of government in a country like Fiji.
He says our history is not theoretical, and the military has been central to some of the most difficult periods in our national life.
The Defence Minister says any person who wants to lead government must understand that reality
clearly and must know how to manage it with discipline, legality and judgement.
Tikoduadua says Narube has shown that he does not have that understanding.
He says Narube appears to believe that civil military relations can be managed through public
attacks, sweeping statements and simple campaign lines.
He says that approach is not only shallow, it is dangerous, and in Fiji, the relationship between the elected government and the military must be handled with firmness, constitutional clarity and maturity.
Tikoduadua says a Prime Minister, Minister, or senior leader must be able to assert civilian authority without creating unnecessary confrontation.
He says they must be able to insist on the rule of law while also understanding the internal culture, command structure and sensitivities of the institution.
Tikoduadua says civilian authority over the military is essential, and he has never argued otherwise.
He says he has spent his time in office insisting that the Constitution is supreme, that elected
government must govern, and that all security institutions must operate within the law but civilian authority is not strengthened by recklessness.
Tikoduadua says he knows how close Fiji was in 2023 to the shadows of 1987, 2000 and 2006.
The Defence Minister says he knows the tensions that existed, the level of caution that was required, the conversations that had to take place and the careful work that had to be done to ensure
that constitutional government remained secure.
He says the country was not served by loud statements, it was served by discipline, restraint, engagement and a clear insistence that the Constitution must be respected.
Tikoduadua says if Narube had been in that position with the attitude he is now displaying, he would
have once more led Fiji into the abyss.
The Minister says a leader like Narube who approaches the military with arrogance and no practical understanding of security institutions would place his own government at risk.
He says Narube would create unnecessary tension, he would weaken trust, he would make it harder to achieve reform, he would turn a sensitive constitutional relationship into a political fight, and Fiji has already suffered enough from that kind of misjudgement.
Tikoduadua says Narube may understand economics, he may understand budgets, he may know how to
criticise government policy from the outside but national security is not the same as
economic commentary, it requires a different kind of judgement, patience, confidence without arrogance, the ability to manage institutions that carry arms, command loyalty, and operate under a distinct culture of discipline and hierarchy.
He adds Fiji's security challenges are also much broader than the military alone.
The Minister says we are facing a serious drug crisis, transnational criminal networks are testing our law enforcement systems, our maritime borders require constant surveillance, cyber threats are
becoming more serious, climate related security pressures are affecting communities, regional competition is increasing, and the pressure on Police, Immigration, Defence, Customs and other agencies is growing.
Savenaca Narube is yet to comment.
