CoveragePost
May 12, 2026
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s military chief has made a public admission at a church service that the institution was “at fault” for the death of Jone Vakarisi while he was in military custody. Local media reported that Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) commander Ro Jone Kalaouniwai, while addressing officers at a military family service, admitted ... <a title="Fiji army commander admits military ‘at fault’ for custody death" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/12/fiji-army-commander-admits-military-at-fault-for-custody-death/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji army commander admits military ‘at fault’ for custody death">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 23, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Jone Vakarisi was heard screaming and begging before he was “brutalised to death” in Fiji military custody last week, according to his sister. Melehola Tagaga told RNZ Pacific Waves that the well-known drug pusher was asked if he was planning a coup, before the military arrested him at ... <a title="‘His life mattered’: Family of man who died in Fiji military custody says he begged for his life" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/23/his-life-mattered-family-of-man-who-died-in-fiji-military-custody-says-he-begged-for-his-life/" aria-label="Read more about ‘His life mattered’: Family of man who died in Fiji military custody says he begged for his life">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 21, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist The Fiji Police Force has launched a murder investigation following the death of wellknown drug pusher Jone Vakarisi, who died in military custody on Thursday. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro told RNZ Pacific that “investigators are gathering intelligence to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the victim’s death”. “The ... <a title="Fiji police confirm murder probe launched into death of man in military custody" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/21/fiji-police-confirm-murder-probe-launched-into-death-of-man-in-military-custody/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji police confirm murder probe launched into death of man in military custody">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 20, 2026
RNZ Pacific The Fiji military has found itself at the centre of a national firestorm following the death of a wellknown drug peddler, Jone Vakarisi, in army custody last Thursday. Conflicting reports have emerged over the weekend regarding the death of Vakarisi, who was reportedly linked to major criminal networks. News of his death broke ... <a title="Fiji military faces questions after death of Jone Vakarisi in custody" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/20/fiji-military-faces-questions-after-death-of-jone-vakarisi-in-custody/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military faces questions after death of Jone Vakarisi in custody">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 15, 2026
RNZ Pacific The Fiji military has warned that individuals responsible for “any attempt to destabilise national security” and those who aid “individuals engaged in criminal activity” have been “put on notice”. It comes after the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) confirmed just last Friday that “unknown individuals” had made “unsuccessful” attempts to access its ... <a title="Fiji military puts public ‘on notice’ citing national security threats" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/15/fiji-military-puts-public-on-notice-citing-national-security-threats/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military puts public ‘on notice’ citing national security threats">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Fiji’s former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and ex-police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are out on bail after appearing in court, charged with inciting mutiny. The pair appeared for a first call before the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday and were granted bail under strict conditions. Magistrate Yogesh Prasad also issued ... <a title="Former Fiji prime minister and ex-police commissioner on bail in inciting mutiny case" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/former-fiji-prime-minister-and-ex-police-commissioner-on-bail-in-inciting-mutiny-case/" aria-label="Read more about Former Fiji prime minister and ex-police commissioner on bail in inciting mutiny case">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 21, 2025
Asia Pacific Report A joint operation between the Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF), Territorial Force Brigade, Fiji Navy and National Fire Authority was staged this week to “modernise” responses to emergencies. Called “Exercise Genesis”, the joint operation is believed to be the first of its kind in Fiji to “test combat ... <a title="Joint Fiji forces tackle civil strife, flash flood crisis and rebels in exercise" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/03/21/joint-fiji-forces-tackle-civil-strife-flash-flood-crisis-and-rebels-in-exercise/" aria-label="Read more about Joint Fiji forces tackle civil strife, flash flood crisis and rebels in exercise">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 7, 2024
By Vijay Narayan in Suva Army commander Major-General Jone Kalouniwai has highlighted the need for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to “redeem itself” as an institution and embark on a process of transformation, reconciliation, and restoration. Speaking at the Force Church Service for the RFMF at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Major-General Kalouniwai said the 1987, ... <a title="Fiji military commander seeks redemption for ‘past wrongs’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/03/07/fiji-military-commander-seeks-redemption-for-past-wrongs/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji military commander seeks redemption for ‘past wrongs’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
July 30, 2023
By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva “The people of Fiji don’t deserve to go through another coup.” This was the view shared by Fiji Navy commander Captain Humphrey Tawake while speaking to The Fiji Times during the Fiji Navy Day celebrations at Stanley Brown Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva, this week. “Fiji, as a nation ... <a title="‘No more coups’, Fiji’s navy commander tells nation" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/30/no-more-coups-fijis-navy-commander-tells-nation/" aria-label="Read more about ‘No more coups’, Fiji’s navy commander tells nation">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
July 16, 2023
By Shayal Devi in Suva “Our people are fed up with coups” — this is the message from renowned Fijian academic Professor Steven Ratuva as he reiterated the statement shared by Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua earlier this week. Professor Ratuva, director of Canterbury University’s Centre for Pacific Studies in New Zealand, said coups ... <a title="Fijians are ‘fed up’ – no more coups in modern politics, says Ratuva" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/16/fijians-are-fed-up-no-more-coups-in-modern-politics-says-ratuva/" aria-label="Read more about Fijians are ‘fed up’ – no more coups in modern politics, says Ratuva">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 24, 2023
By Meri Radinibaravi in Suva Former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told The Fiji Times to ask the Republic of Fiji Military Forces about claims that his bodyguards were allowed to take guns on to Fiji Link flights without proper authorisation. “I understand that there’s some enquiries going on regarding that so I don’t know whether ... <a title="Ask Fiji military about ‘guns on plane’ claims, says Sayed-Khaiyum" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/24/ask-fiji-military-about-guns-on-plane-claims-says-sayed-khaiyum/" aria-label="Read more about Ask Fiji military about ‘guns on plane’ claims, says Sayed-Khaiyum">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2023
RNZ Pacific A New Zealand-based professor in comparative politics says the Fiji constitution needs to clear up the role of the military. Dr Jon Fraenkel of Victoria University, formerly of the University of the South Pacific, says the 2013 constitution revived the provision that existed in the 1990 constitution which gave the military responsibility for ... <a title="Sort out the uncertain Fiji military constitutional role, says professor" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/01/sort-out-the-uncertain-fiji-military-constitutional-role-says-professor/" aria-label="Read more about Sort out the uncertain Fiji military constitutional role, says professor">Read more</a>
