Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner currently serving a prison sentence for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation regarding statements he made following the 2022 General Election.
The inquiry focuses on remarks he made in December 2022 about alleged instability and violence after the election. Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime, Mesake Waqa, confirmed to local media that the investigation relates to Qiliho’s claims about unverified reports of stoning incidents and vandalism.
On December 21, 2022, just a week after the election, Qiliho reported receiving unconfirmed accounts of stonings, despite the callers choosing not to file official complaints. He instructed that the Divisional Crime Officer for the North conduct a comprehensive investigation into reports of vandalism in the area.
The following day, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the police in maintaining law and order due to increasing threats against minority groups following the election results. He expressed alarm regarding the rising racial tensions and indicated that an agreement had been made for RFMF personnel to support police operations.
Tensions escalated on December 23 when former police chief of operations Abdul Khan resigned, citing personal reasons. Reports suggest that Khan’s departure was connected to disagreements over the involvement of the RFMF in police activities.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently addressed the fragile situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the potential for tension to destabilize the RFMF. He emphasized the organization’s efforts to prevent further unrest.