Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner who is currently incarcerated for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation linked to remarks he made after the 2022 General Election. Authorities are scrutinizing statements he made in December 2022 regarding purported instability and violence in the aftermath of the election.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the investigation centers on allegations related to Qiliho’s comments, particularly regarding unverified claims 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.
Shortly after the election results, on December 21, 2022, Qiliho reported that the Police had received unconfirmed reports about stoning incidents, noting that the individuals who reported these incidents had not filed formal complaints. He ordered the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to carry out a thorough investigation into reports of vandalism in the area.
The day after, on December 22, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the Police in maintaining law and order amidst a rising number of threats against minority groups following the election outcomes. In his remarks, he expressed alarm over escalating racial tensions and indicated that an arrangement had been made for RFMF personnel to support police efforts.
However, tensions peaked when former Police Chief of Operations Abdul Khan resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources suggest that Khan’s resignation was tied to disputes over the decision to involve the RFMF in police operations.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently shed light on the challenging circumstances following the 2022 elections during a media interview, recognizing the potential for situations that could have destabilized the RFMF. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to preventing further unrest while navigating these complex challenges.