Academic urges military downsizing to prevent coups

An academic has called for significant military reform in Fiji, urging the Constitutional Review Commission to recommend reducing the size of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF). Dr. Moshmi Bhim argues that such a measure is crucial for strengthening democracy and preventing future coups, a persistent issue in Fiji's political history.

Presenting her submission, Dr. Bhim referenced a 2004 National Security and Defence Review that proposed halving the military's size. She described the current scale of the RFMF as a threat to democracy. She recalled that former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had supported this recommendation, telling her shortly before his government was overthrown in 2006 that downsizing the military was a way to address Fiji's "coup culture."

Dr. Bhim proposed capping military service at a limit of 5 to 10 years. She explained that soldiering is not viewed as a lifelong career in Fiji, and not all soldiers can serve until retirement. Many gain operational experience through overseas peacekeeping missions, but face limited career prospects as they age and become ineligible for deployments.

“

Military service should be temporary, with soldiers serving 5 to 10 years only in the RFMF. It is because soldiering is not a lifelong career in Fiji, because not all soldiers can serve until retirement.

This situation, she contends, puts experienced soldiers without post-military career paths at risk of being incentivized to pursue coups. Such actions, she noted, provide opportunities to secure senior positions in government institutions, diplomatic corps, and statutory bodies, as seen after the 1987 and 2006 coups.

However, CRC Chair Sevuloni Valenitabua raised concerns about job security, noting that many soldiers expect to serve until age 55. Bhim also pointed out that Fiji's other sectors face a shortage of skilled workers, suggesting that the military attracts many capable young people due to job security and opportunities for training and travel, leaving other industries struggling to recruit.

“

I have a question for you. These days our people these days our people go for job security, right? And those who prefer to join the military anticipate, and some expect to serve until they are 55 years old.