Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been thrown into uncertainty following the sudden resignation of its Chairman, Dr Marcus Brand, just as the inquiry enters one of its most consequential phases.
Dr Brand was absent from yesterday’s public hearing in Suva, where Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka appeared to give evidence and reaffirm his commitment to full disclosure about the events surrounding the 1987 coups.
fijivillage reported that Dr Brand has stepped down for personal reasons, though neither the Commission nor the government has yet issued an official response. Questions have been sent to both parties seeking clarification about the impact of his departure.
In a LinkedIn post, Dr Brand confirmed he has stepped down as Chairperson of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, describing the role as “one of the greatest honours of my professional life.”
Dr Brand said his decision followed “deep reflection and careful consideration” and was driven by “personal circumstances and family commitments.” He expressed gratitude to the European Union for enabling his service and praised the courage and resilience shown by Fijians who have engaged with the Commission’s work.
He said he was leaving the role “with great confidence in the competence, integrity, and dedication of my Fijian colleagues,” adding that the Commission had already built “a foundation of credibility and trust” as it works to promote restorative justice.
Reflecting on the national reconciliation effort, Dr Brand noted that the journey “is never an easy one, but it is both necessary and transformative,” urging all Fijians to continue supporting the Commission and to see reconciliation as “a shared responsibility that can unite the nation in strength and dignity.”
He closed by reaffirming his commitment to the Commission’s principles, saying:
“I will continue to advocate for the values the FTRC represents: truth, justice, and national unity.”
Dr Brand’s resignation comes at a pivotal time for the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC), which was established under the FTRC Act 2024 to encourage open truth-telling and promote healing from the physical, emotional and systemic harms caused by Fiji’s political upheavals since 1987.
Public hearings began in Suva on 7 October 2025 and have been livestreamed to ensure accessibility for the Fijian diaspora.
The Commission’s mandate emphasises unity, social cohesion and the recognition of survivors’ lived experiences. It stresses that truth-telling is not a process of retribution but a pathway to national healing, acknowledgement and breaking cycles of historical injustice. Through reconciliation, the Commission seeks to build a safer, more inclusive and more peaceful Fiji for future generations.
Prime Minister Rabuka, who has repeatedly stated his support for the process, told fijivillage News earlier this week that he was prepared to share his story publicly and would appear once his lawyer finalised the timing. He had previously confirmed, in January, that he would voluntarily come before the Commission as the leader behind the 1987 coups and would reveal who else was involved. Rabuka has long argued that avoiding the truth only prolongs the “pains and aches” of Fiji’s past.
It is reported in local media that during his appearance yesterday, Rabuka again underscored his belief in the importance of openness, saying he was ready to contribute to a national conversation that has been avoided for decades. His testimony was seen as a significant moment in the Commission’s work — making Dr Brand’s absence, and now his confirmed resignation, all the more striking.
Dr Brand, originally from Austria, brought more than 25 years of international experience to the role, having served with the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union across Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and the United States. His appointment earlier this year was viewed as strengthening the credibility and independence of Fiji’s reconciliation efforts.
Despite the leadership upheaval, the remaining Commissioners — Sekove Naqiolevu, Rachna Nath, Asilika Laqeretabua and Rajendra Hiralal Dass — are expected to continue hearings and statement-gathering until October next year. Their final report is due for submission in January 2027. The group was formally sworn in by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu in January 2025.
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