The New Commander (Fiji Military Forces): The Race begins

This Document was sent to us from the RFMF's Intelligence Unit

Preface

The 2014 general elections are around the corner and the current administration headed by Cmdr. J V. Bainimarama has been ruling the country for past 8 years under military rule.  With active manpower of 4000 plus soldiers Prime Minister and Military commander has ruled with an iron fist with support of super power countries like china.

The country, ruled by the decree, has now adopted a constitution that deems it necessary for any person(s) wanting to contest elections must not be a public servant. Therefore the Prime Minister and Commander have announced that he will resign from  the army in March 2014 to concentrate on forming his party and running for elections.

The Next Commander

There are so many issues to look at as the current commander and PM will make recommendation to the President the name of next commander. It is well understood that PM has sole right to choose his pre-successor but he will decide on the following 3 keys points:

1. Is the person trustworthy  not to carry out a coup on him?

2. Can he fall back on the army commander should he lose elections?

3. Will  the  Army  accept  the  appointment  and  does  the  person  convey  respect  and command of the Fiji Military Forces?

The Candidate List

It is no secret that the next person to be appointed or diplomatically recommended to the President for appointment will be a current enlisted Officer of the Fiji Military Forces. It is also no secret that the following officers listed here are still in army payroll therefore eligible for a shot at commander’s post:

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ONE:
Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz is the current Chief of staff though after 2011 saga of attempted coup plot he has been relegated as ceremonial role officer but still his current rank qualifies him in contention to be the next first ever Indian (Muslim) Commander.

From intelligence point of view this is very highly unlikely as he has only served as a lawyer in his earlier days in the army.

Also the army personnel distrust of him has been much more after Brigadier General Pita Driti was sentenced for attempted coup and his name also appeared on co- conspiring list in courts during trial.

Aziz is rumored to have established his exit plan after he bought a half million dollar house in US in 2013 and recently been frequently out of country for longer periods.

Despite all this, he is in the candidate listing.

Status:

Health: No current issues

Education:

LLB/ Masters

Rank:

Brgd. General - Active

International Clearances

US Department of State: Flagged

Australia: Active / Request

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Two:
Land Forces Commander – Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga

Handling almost the 80% of the army personnel and divisions, Colonel Moeses Tikoitoga has been a career officer serving in many UN missions and rose through the ranks after 2010 to his current position.  He has been also had a few incidents around women in his UN missions but he is definitely in a position to be the next commander.

Intelligence also confirms that he has had a few stand offs with the current Commander and PM in 2011 but those issues were solved almost instantly. Despite his full time career Col. Mosese total command and control in the army is still questionable.

Status:
Health: Heart patient; Education: NA; Rank: Colonel – Active; International Clearances: US Department of State: Flagged; Australia: Active / Request

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Three:
Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua

This man is one the most senior army officers serving in the Fiji military Forces and has a wealth of experience and senior to become the current commander. He has been the commissioner of prisons and the Commissioner of police in recent years after 2006, although his leadership in the two forces has felt a few questions marks.  After termination of his recent contract, he has returned to the army but still serving his outstanding leave.

With his experience he is one of the best candidates for the next commander but there are a few question marks on his leadership and Bainimarama’s trust of him with the amount of swearing he got as commissioner of police according to his bodyguards leaves a question mark on his chances.

Status: Health: No current issues; Education: Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic management; Rank: Field Promotion (ceremonial Brdg. General UN); International Clearances: US Department of State: Flagged; Australia: Active / Request

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Four:
Commodore Esala Teleni

Cmdr. Teleni was the acting commander in 2006 when the army carried out a coup and his link with Bainimarama as fellow navy men go a long way. In confidence this guy is most educated and dangerous of all. He has served in UN, as army commander, Commissioner of Police and now he is the key man in linking the Chinese aid to Fiji to support Bainimarama government to fund his  government and run election campaigns. Trained well in diplomacy and strategic management, he still has Bainimarama's confidence in running his international image with the Chinese despite being pushed out of country in 2011 after his differences with the attorney general.

Currently serving as Ambassador to China, he is still on army payroll and his term will expire in Feb 2014, and he is due back in country in Feb 2014.  This man makes another possible candidate for the next commander of the army.

Status: Health: No current issues; Education: Masters in Strategic Management; Rank: Commodore – Active;
International Clearances: US Department of State: Flagged; Australia: Flagged; New Zealand : Flagged

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Fijileaks has been told of other possible contenders:

Pio Tikoduadua; Jone Kalouniwai; Sitiveni Qiliho; Inia Seruvatu, Ifereimi Vasu

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