Fiji Military

This team will complement the first team that left last week.

While farewelling the 31-member team, Minister for Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka reminded the team that their deployment provides an opportunity for the Fiji Government to reciprocate the kind gesture and support rendered to Fiji by our neighbours in Vanuatu in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.

He says Vanuatu's acceptance of our assistance also demonstrates Fiji's strength in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR).

The Government, a three-party coalition led by Sitiveni Rabuka, has been in power for less than a month.

On Tuesday, Major-General Jone Kalouniwai warned the government was taking "shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures" which could lead to "long-term national security consequences".

Kalouniwai's statement also highlighted the military's "guardian role" in the constitution, which he claimed was to ensure "excesses [of power] of the past are not repeated".

Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, says they are all receiving treatment and will be allowed to complete their deployment once they recover.

He told FBC that 90 troops in Iraq and 20 in Sinai who tested positive have to be quarantined.

Naupoto says 41 peacekeepers in Iraq have almost completed their isolation period and are about to return to active duty.

According to the military, deployments will continue with all personnel receiving the necessary vaccine pre departure and upon arrival at their mission stations.

476 Fijians are deployed in six missions.

The chief of staff, Colonel Jone Kalouniwai, said the military has learned from past mistakes, and would accept the outcome.

Since 1987, Fiji has been hit by military coups three times within a year after elections.

The 2014 election was the first since Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's coup in 2006.

The instigator of the 1987 coup, Sitiveni Rabuka, is now the leader of the main opposition Sodelpa Party, pitting former coup leader against former coup leader.