Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner currently imprisoned for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation connected to remarks he made after the 2022 General Election. The focus of the inquiry pertains to claims he made in December 2022 about alleged unrest and violence following the election.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the allegations concerning Qiliho’s statements, particularly related to unverified reports of stoning incidents and vandalism, are under review. “We confirm that there is an investigation regarding the statement issued alleging the stoning incident and vandalism,” ACP Waqa stated.
On December 21, 2022, a week after the election, Qiliho claimed that police had received unverified reports of stoning incidents, although no official reports were filed by the individuals who called. He subsequently instructed the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to conduct an in-depth investigation into reports of vandalism in that area.
The very next day, December 22, Qiliho indicated that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would support the police in maintaining law and order due to rising threats against minority groups following the election results. He expressed concern about increasing racial tensions, noting that an agreement had been reached for RFMF personnel to assist police efforts.
The situation escalated when former Police Chief of Operations Abdul Khan resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources suggest that his resignation was related to disagreements over involving the RFMF in police operations.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently addressed the tenuous situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the potential for instability within the RFMF. He emphasized efforts to incorporate the RFMF while affirming their dedication to preventing further unrest.