• PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

    Fiji first participation in Peacekeeping Operations came in 1978 when Fiji was invited by the United Nations to deploy to Southern Lebanon to be part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Our participation lasted for 24 years and the RFMF pulled out in December 2002 after the United Nations had decided to reduce the composition of the force in UNIFIL. In 1982, after the signing of the US brokered Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt, the 2nd Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment was deployed into Sinai as part of the MFO. The Battalion is still there at present. The UNIFIL & MFO deployment laid the foundation for Fiji’s reputation in Peace Support Operations.

     

    From 1978, Fiji has participated in Peace Support Operations to the following missions:

    1. 1978-2002 UNIFIL Lebanon

    2. 1979 Rhodesia as part of the Commonwealth Monitoring Group

    3. 1982-ongoing MFO Sinai Egypt

    4. 1991-2003 UNIKOM – Military Observers Kuwait/Iraq border

    5. 1994 SPPKF – in Bougainville where one company group was deployed in support of the Australian led regional force

    6. 1997-2003 PMG – Peace monitoring group Bouganville

    7. 1999-2005 INTERFET/UNTAET/UNMISET – in East Timor under an Australian led MNF and later transformed to a UN mission.

    8. 2003-2005 RAMSI – We had a platoon in the Solomon Is that has pulled out in the weekend.

    9. 2004 UNAMI – RFMF is the only international force wearing blue helmets in Baghdad and in Erbil in the Kurdish north.

    10. 2005 UNMIS – We currently have 7 Military Observers with the UN mission in Sudan.

    The RFMF’s history or origins was one of internal stability to protect foreign, mainly colonial investments in the country. Over the years, it has proven itself capable in war and peace operations overseas through the determination and will of the Fijian soldier. However, developments in Peacekeeping operations to a more robust and more popular Peace-Enforcement operations has seen the RFMF in a more static, guarding role. This is so because the RFMF lack the robust capabilities.

    Black Rock Project

    However, as part of our continuos development in Peacekeeping operations, the RFMF is embarking on a project that in future will be the Fiji Peacekeeping Training Centre. The project is in its early stages with the ground work and essential services currently being put in place by the contractors. We believe that this capacity will enhance the RFMF capabilities and credibility in this area and make it more attractive to participate in future deployments.