Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner currently incarcerated for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation regarding comments he made after the 2022 General Election. The inquiry centers around statements he made in December 2022 concerning purported instability and violence following the election.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to the Fiji Sun that the investigation is focused on Qiliho’s claims about unverified reports of stoning incidents and 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, just a week after the election, Qiliho reported that the police had received unconfirmed reports about stoning incidents, although the individuals who called did not file official reports. He directed the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reports of vandalism in that area.
The next day, December 22, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would support the police in maintaining law and order amid rising threats against minority groups following the election results. He expressed concerns about increasing racial tensions and affirmed that an agreement had been made for RFMF personnel to assist the police.
The situation intensified when former police chief of operations Abdul Khan resigned from his position on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources suggest that Khan’s resignation was related to disagreements over the decision to involve the RFMF in police operations.
Recently, RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai discussed the unstable environment following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging that the unrest could have jeopardized the RFMF. He emphasized efforts to mitigate further disturbances while maintaining the RFMF’s commitment to stability.