Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner who is currently imprisoned for abuse of office, is facing a new investigation concerning remarks he made after the 2022 General Election. The inquiry centers on comments he made in December 2022 that suggested potential instability and violence following the elections.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the investigation is examining allegations tied to Qiliho’s statements, which included unverified reports of stoning incidents and acts of vandalism. “We confirm that there is an investigation regarding the statement issued alleging the stoning incident and vandalism,” stated ACP Waqa.
On December 21, 2022, shortly after the General Election, Qiliho claimed that the police had received unverified reports of stoning, although those who called did not file official complaints. He directed the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reports of vandalism in the area.
The next day, on December 22, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the police in maintaining order, following rising reports of threats directed at minority groups in the aftermath of the election results. In his statement, Qiliho expressed worry over the heightened racial tensions and confirmed that an arrangement had been made for RFMF personnel to aid in police operations.
However, the situation became more complicated when former Police Chief of Operations Abdul Khan resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources suggest that Khan’s resignation was related to disagreements regarding the decision to involve the RFMF in police duties.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently addressed the tenuous situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the tensions that could have led to destabilization within the RFMF. He emphasized the efforts made to involve the RFMF while reaffirming their commitment to preventing further unrest.