Dear Editor,

For centuries, men in military uniforms have destroyed the peace and stability of democratic nations.

In the 1970s, Idi Amin Dada ousted the democratically elected President of Uganda after accusing him of corruption.

He became one of the most violent and oppressive leaders in history.

Idi Amin loved to parade around in his military uniform and pin medals on himself.

Germany had an infamous corporal who wore his military uniform as he brainwashed millions of people into committing genocide and some of the worst war crimes.

Closer to home, as the Prime Minister of Samoa and leader of the Pacific Island Forum, I had to deal with a colourful character who loved to wear military uniforms.

After he deposed the Fijian Prime Minister Qarase in a coup, I often had heated exchanges with Commodore Frank Bainimarama about his illegal removal of a democratically elected government.

In typical Pacific style, I would use humour to de-escalate tensions with "Bani."

I sometimes joked about his military uniforms and once advised him to go back to the barracks and practice his marches with the military band.

The late Qarase recounted some of these exchanges in his autobiography, "Prisoner 302."

But beneath the Pacific humour, the message was serious.

We, as Pacific leaders, would not be intimidated by military uniforms and propaganda and that the rule of law was paramount.

We know something about people who like to walk around in Samoa today in ridiculous-looking uniforms.

It’s all for show, intimidation and distraction from their true evil intentions.

Napoleon warned us that “a man becomes a creature of his uniform.”

Samoa, let's take heed of those words and be wary of such creatures.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP