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Senior Fijian military officer Colonel Penioni “Ben” Naliva has been appointed as deputy commander of the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade.
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Colonel Naliva, who graduated the Australian War College in 2023, is also facing numerous accusations of human rights abuses and torture allegations relating to his time under Fijian coup leader and former prime minister Frank Bainimarama.
While serving with Fijian military forces, Naliva was allegedly present at or participated in beatings of Fijian politicians, a former cabinet minister, a businessman, and student activists. In one case, Naliva, while serving in Fiji, is also accused of detaining a Fijian politician and trying to force an M16 rifle barrel into their anus during an interrogation. The allegations were originally reported in The Australian.
He has not been charged of any criminal activity.
“We are honoured to welcome Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, who today became the Deputy Commander of the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade,” said a statement from 7th Brigade Australian Army.
“Colonel Naliva got to meet some of his new colleagues as he gets ready for an exciting 2024 and 2025 together.
“This international military partnership has been planned for a long time, and it’s brilliant to see it begin.”
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces have officially celebrated the appointment.
“Congratulations to Colonel Penioni Naliva on taking up his new post as Deputy Commander of 7th Brigade of the Australian 7th Brigade - Australian Army,” said an official statement published earlier this week.
“This appointment solidifies Fiji’s Defence relationship with Australia as we continue to collaborate in various areas with the Defence space.”
Naliva, as a Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 3rd Fiji Infantry Regiment, was previously presented with a plaque by the Australian Army following Exercise Coral Soldier in 2022.
During that exercise, Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers enhanced their individual and collective soldiering skills with Australian Army soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8/9 RAR).
As part of the closing ceremony for Exercise Coral Soldier, then-Lieutenant Colonel Penioni Naliva shared a kava beverage with Royal Australian Regiment Lieutenant Colonel John Eccleston.
Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite, speaking to ABC Radio National Drive about the appointment on 30 January, said these arrangements are made by the Australian Defence Force.
“To this appointment, I’m not aware of Defence being alerted to these allegations,” he said.
“These appointments are made by the Australian Defence Force and they obviously make those appointments based on experience, based on readiness and training, and it’s something that the Defence Force makes as a decision.”
In 2022, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles announced the signing of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Fiji, formalising a joint commitment to enhancing defence and security ties.
The agreement was signed by Deputy PM Marles and Fiji’s Minister for Defence, National Security, and Policing and Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu.
The SOFA aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the presence of forces in the partner nation’s sovereign territory.
