Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner currently incarcerated for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation regarding remarks he made following the 2022 General Election.
The inquiry centers on statements he issued in December 2022 related to alleged instability and violence in the aftermath of the elections. Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the investigation pertains to Qiliho’s claims, particularly 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 General Election, Qiliho reported that police had received unverified accounts of stoning incidents, with the callers opting not to file official reports. He subsequently instructed the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the reports of vandalism in that area.
The next day, December 22, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would aid the police in maintaining law and order due to rising concerns about threats against minority groups following the election results. In his statement, Qiliho expressed alarm at the escalating racial tensions, noting that an agreement had been made for RFMF personnel to assist police operations.
However, tensions heightened 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 linked to disagreements regarding the decision to involve the RFMF in police activities.
Recently, RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai spoke about the sensitive situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the tensions that could have destabilized the RFMF. He emphasized efforts to engage the RFMF while reaffirming their commitment to preventing further unrest.