His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has left country to begin a series of visits to Fijian troops serving with United Nations peacekeeping missions overseas.
In his role as Commander in Chief of Fiji’s Armed Forces, the President will be visiting troops serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights in Syria, those with the Multinational Force of Observers (MFO) in Sinai and another contingent with the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
He is accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Joketani Cokanasiga, and the Commander of the RFMF, Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga, who is making his first visit to Fijian troops on overseas deployment since he assumed the role of Commander.
The visit – which is primarily designed to boost morale – will allow the President to be updated on the challenges facing our young men and women in these various war-torn areas. It will also provide the opportunity for him to brief them on developments taking place in Fiji, especially in relation to the September 17th general election.
The President intends to visit the remaining Fijian troops serving abroad with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia at a later date.
During his current tour, the President will also visit Fiji’s Diplomatic Missions in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
MINFO