Ro Teimumu, left, accepted the traditional offering on behalf of the GCC. Photo: fijivillage.com
The Fijian military has offered a formal traditional apology to the country's chiefs for its role in past political turmoil.
The traditional apology, or matanigasau, is one of Fiji's highest traditional forms of apology.
Ahead of the ceremony on Wednesday, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) commander Jone Kalouniwai said in a statement that it is part of the military's commitment to national reconciliation.
The ceremony to the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) - the apex iTaukei body - was held at the RFMF's Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva, and the army's headquarters which is known for being the site of a violent mutiny and subsequent extrajudicial killings in the aftermath of the 2000 coup.
The military apology was presented to GCC member and high chief and former opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa.
According to local media, Ro Teimumu accepted the traditional offering on behalf of the GCC.
The military apology was presented to GCC member and high chief and former opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa (sitting middle). Photo: Mai TV
Fiji has had four coups since gaining independence in 1970. The first two - in May and September 1987 - were led by then-military lieutenant Sitiveni Rabuka, who is the current prime minister. Rabuka's coups were driven by ethnic nationalism.
The 2000 civilian-military coup was led by businessman George Speight, who removed the democratically elected government of Fiji's first Indo-Fijian Prime Mahendra Chaudhry. Speight's coup also had racial motivations to secure political supremacy of indigenous (iTaukei) Fijians.
RFMF commander Jone Kalouniwai presents the traditional apology on behalf of the military on Wednesday. Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / Fiji One News
The 2006 coup, which was led by Frank Bainimarama, was driven by conflict between the military and the elected government of late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Bainimarama was also responsible aboloshing the GCC and telling the chiefs "go drink homebrew under a mango tree".
The four coups have had a significant long-term impact on Fiji's economy, costing billions of dollars successive Fiji governments have said.
Kalouniwai said the military had "diverged from its true purpose an values" and "carries the weight of its history".
However, he said as part of its transformation, the RFMF is committed to "uphold civilian supremacy".
"Breaking the cycle of military intervention is an absolute imperative for a stable, prosperous and united Fiji," he said.
