Jone Baledrokadroka
{{Short description|Fijian academic}}
Jone Baledrokadroka (born 9 November 1958 in Suva, Fiji) is a Fijian academic and former soldier who served briefly as Republic of Fiji Military Forces Land Force Commander in January 2006. He was dismissed from the post after only four days after RFMF Commander Frank Bainimarama accused him of planning a mutiny. He is the son of former senator and Taukei ni Waluvu Ratu Alipate Baledrokadroka and the brother of Senator Adi Lagamu Vuiyasawa.{{cite news |title=President appoints woman to Senate |work=Fiji Times |page=15 |date=5 November 2005 |via=EBSCOHost}} He is also the uncle for New Zealand netballer Erikana Pedersen.{{cite web|url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/05/28/naitasiris-silver-fern-erikana-pedersen-baledrokadroka/|title=Naitasiri's Silver Fern: Erikana Pedersen Baledrokadroka|publisher=fijisun.com.fj|date=28 May 2020|access-date=5 November 2022}}
Degree Qualifications:
• PhD (ANU) Politics, 2012.
• Master of Arts Strategic Studies (Deakin University), 2003
• Post Grad Dip Strat and Defence (Universiti Malaya) 1995
Senior Defence/ Security Qualifications:
• Graduate of Centre for Defence Strategic Studies Canberra Australia, 2003.
• Graduate Malaysian Military Staff College 1995.
• Fellow of US Asia Pacific Centre for Strategic and Security Studies Hawaii 2001
• Fellow of Australian Army Land Warfare Centre Canberra ACT.2005.
• Graduate of US Naval School Senior Management Course Monterey 2005.
Expertise:
• Pacific Regional Political Strategic and Security Analyses in particular Melanesia.
• UN Peace and Development Advisor in PNG and Bougainville,.
Early life
Baledrokadroka is from the village of Nairukuruku in Naitasiri Province. He was educated at the Marist Brothers High School in Suva and De La Salle College, Māngere East, before attending Auckland University of Technology, where he studied civil engineering.{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/the-journey-of-retired-colonel-dr-ratu-jone-baledrokadroka/ |title=The journey of retired colonel Dr Ratu Jone Baledrokadroka |publisher=Fiji Times |author=Siteri Sauvakacolo |date=12 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023}}
Military career
Baledrokadroka joined the Army in 1981{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2008/12/27/baledrokadroka-celebrates-his-freedom/ |title=Baledrokadroka celebrates his freedom |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=27 December 2008 |access-date=23 April 2023}} and was commissioned after attending the OCTU Officers commissioning course in Fiji. He commanded the Engineers Regiment, MFO Fijibatt XVII and was Chief Staff Officer Operations during the 2000 Political Crisis prior to his appointment as Acting Land Force Commander. Baledrokadroka had attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College, Canberra, in 2003.
On 10 January 2006 Baledrokadroka assumed the position of Land Force Commander.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/emfiji-crisisem-interview-with-jone-baledrokadroka/Z26X4X2MAH6PF7WUXQ3RBMAMAU/ |title=Fiji crisis: Interview with Jone Baledrokadroka |publisher=New Zealand Herald |author=David Fisher |date=16 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Baledrokadroka heads Land Force |work=Fiji Times |page=2 |date=13 January 2006 |via=EBSCOHost}} He was relieved of the position and sent on leave four days later after a disagreement with RFMF Commander Frank Bainimarama.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159689/fiji-military-head-sacks-land-force-commander-after-reported-rift |title=Fiji military head sacks Land Force Commander after reported rift |publisher=RNZ |date=14 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/fiji-army-man-fired-amid-coup-talk/V6XDC35LHO6H3S3XZ34RNISV2M/ |title=Fiji Army man fired amid coup talk |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=14 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} Bainimarama subsequently accused him of planning a mutiny{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159691/fiji-military-boss-claims-death-threat-in-last-week's-alleged-attempted-mutiny |title=Fiji military boss claims death threat in last week's alleged attempted mutiny |publisher=RNZ |date=16 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} and of plotting with Home Affairs chief executive Lesi Korovavala to remove him;{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159745/fiji-military-asks-for-removal-of-home-affairs-ministry-chief-executive |title=Fiji military asks for removal of home affairs ministry chief executive |publisher=RNZ |date=18 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} Baledrokadroka claimed that Bainimarama had given instructions for illegal and treasonous acts. Bainimarama subsequently appointed a board of inquiry to investigate the matter,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159904/fiji-board-probes-sacked-land-force-commander |title=Fiji board probes sacked land force commander |publisher=RNZ |date=25 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} but Baledrokadroka refused to cooperate.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/160009/sacked-fiji-top-officer-refuses-board-hearing-on-alleged-mutiny |title=Sacked Fiji top officer refuses board hearing on alleged mutiny |publisher=RNZ |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/160075/fiji-army-officer-appears-before-military-inquiry-into-last-month's-standoff-with-his-commander |title=Fiji army officer appears before military inquiry into last month's standoff with his commander |publisher=RNZ |date=2 February 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}
In April 2006 the RFMF announced that Baledrokadroka would face a court-martial.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/161299/two-top-fiji-officers-linked-to-mutiny-plot-resign |title=Two top Fiji officers linked to mutiny plot resign |publisher=RNZ |date=5 April 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} Baledrokadroka fled to New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/161757/fiji-commander-wanted-over-mutiny-safe-in-nz |title=Fiji commander wanted over mutiny safe in NZ |publisher=RNZ |date=28 April 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} The lack of an extradition treaty between Fiji and New Zealand meant that he could not be extradited to face a court-martial.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/161823/nz-says-no-fiji-request-to-extradite-officer-for-court-martial |title=NZ says no Fiji request to extradite officer for court-martial |publisher=RNZ |date=2 May 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}
In September 2006 Fiji's Public Service Commission shortlisted him for a job as Commissioner of Corrections, causing tensions with the military.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/165014/fiji-mutiny-suspect-in-run-for-top-prisons-job |title=Fiji mutiny suspect in run for top prisons job |publisher=RNZ |date=28 September 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/165216/fiji's-military-angry-that-rebel-officer-still-in-line-for-top-job |title=Fiji's military angry that rebel officer still in line for top job |publisher=RNZ |date=10 October 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} The military repeatedly threatened to court-martial Baledrokadroka if he was appointed, and appointed a prosecutor.{{cite news |title=Aziz to lead army in trial |work=Fiji Times |page=5 |date=11 October 2006 |via=EBSCOHost}} Ultimately the Commission was not satisfied with either candidate, and Baledrokadroka was not appointed.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/165300/controversial-fiji-army-officer-deemed-not-suitable-to-be-commissioner-of-prisons |title=Controversial Fiji army officer deemed not suitable to be commissioner of prisons |publisher=RNZ |date=12 October 2006 |access-date=23 April 2023}} The army finally suspended its investigation in January 2007 in the aftermath of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.{{cite news |title=Military probe put on hold |work=Fiji Times |page=4 |date=11 January 2007 |via=EBSCOHost}}
Post-military
In November 2007 he was arrested alongside his brother -in-law Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and businessman Ballu Khan and accused of being part of a plot to assassinate Bainimarama.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/173696/more-arrests-threatened-in-fiji-over-alleged-plot-against-the-government |title=More arrests threatened in Fiji over alleged plot against the government |publisher=RNZ |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=23 April 2023}} He was subsequently charged with inciting mutiny and conspiracy to murder.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/173752/10-people-charged-with-fiji-assassination-plot-to-reappear-in-court-today |title=10 people charged with Fiji assassination plot to reappear in court today |publisher=RNZ |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=23 April 2023}} After being imprisoned for 40 days, he was granted bail. In November 2008, when granting a permanent stay of proceedings against Khan, the High Court of Fiji raised doubts about the evidence against Baledrokadroka.{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2008/11/13/dpp-defends-kill-plot-charges/ |title=DPP defends kill plot charges |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=13 November 2008 |access-date=23 April 2023}} The charges were subsequently dropped in December 2008.{{cite news |title=Baledrokadroka is free |work=Fiji Times |page= |date=25 December 2008 |via=EBSCOHost}}
Following his acquittal, Baledrokadroka moved to Australia and applied for asylum.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-05/fijis-ex-commander-seeks-asylum/1129938 |title=Fiji's ex-commander seeks asylum |publisher=ABC |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=23 April 2023}} He studied for a PhD in politics at Australian National University. His thesis, completed in 2012, was on Sacred king and warrior chief : the role of the military in Fiji politics,{{cite thesis |title=Sacred king and warrior chief : the role of the military in Fiji politics |last=Baledrokadroka |first=Jone |publisher=Australian National University |type=PhD|date=January 2012}} and called for reform of the Fijian military and its ethos to ensure subservience to civilian authority.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/208200/former-fiji-military-commander-suggests-commission-to-tackle-military-mindset |title=Former Fiji military commander suggests commission to tackle military mindset |publisher=RNZ |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=23 April 2023}} He also campaigned against the military regime from Australia,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/186412/drop-in-foreign-work-may-impact-fiji-military |title=Drop in foreign work may impact Fiji military |publisher=RNZ |date=5 October 2009 |access-date=23 April 2023}} and was an organiser of the Fiji Democracy and Freedom movement.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/197676/australian-based-fiji-democracy-group-calls-for-caretaker-pm |title=Australian-based Fiji democracy group calls for caretaker PM |publisher=RNZ |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=23 April 2023}} In 2012, in the leadup to the general elections scheduled for 2014, the first since the 2006 coup, he expressed scepticism about whether the Military would allow the vote to be free and fair. "The path in this progress towards democracy has been fraught with allegations of continuing military oversight and interference in the constitution-making process," he wrote in an Australian National University journal. "And it is possible that the new Constitution, once it has been finalised by Bainimarama’s handpicked Constituent Assembly, might become a setback to democracy by spawning a military backed one-party state."{{cite web|last1=Baledrokadroka|first1=Jone|title=Democracy for Fiji?|url=http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/news-events/all-stories/democracy-fiji|website=ANU College of Asia & the Pacific|publisher=Australian National University|access-date=16 June 2015}}
He served as UN Peace Development Advisor in Bougainville in 2015-19.
In April 2023 he was appointed by Fiji's newly-elected coalition government to head a review into restoring the Great Council of Chiefs.{{cite web |url=https://fijionenews.com.fj/great-council-of-chiefs-review-team-appointed/ |title=Great Council of Chiefs review team appointed |publisher=Fiji One News |date=13 April 2023 |access-date=23 April 2023}}
In August 2023 he was also appointed chairman of Naitasiri Provincial Council.
He was also founding President of Naitasiri Rugby Union (1998-2003).
In April 2024 he was appointed head of the Team to Review the ITaukei Administration Act 1944.
He is also Consultant for UN/Fiji Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion Project launched in March 2024.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baledrokadroka, Jone}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:People from Naitasiri Province
Category:Fijian expatriates in Australia
Category:People educated at Marist Brothers High School, Fiji
Category:People educated at De La Salle College, Māngere East