Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner who is currently imprisoned for abuse of office, is facing a new investigation concerning remarks he made following the 2022 General Election. The focus of the inquiry centers on claims he made in December 2022 about alleged instability and violence in the wake of the election.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the allegations pertain to Qiliho’s comments, particularly regarding unverified reports of stoning incidents and vandalism that are now being scrutinized. “We confirm that there is an investigation regarding the statement issued alleging the stoning incident and vandalism,” ACP Waqa stated.
On December 21, 2022, just one week after the election, Qiliho reported that the police had received unconfirmed reports of stoning incidents, despite callers opting not to file official complaints. Consequently, he instructed that the Divisional Crime Officer for the North be assigned to thoroughly investigate the reports of vandalism in that 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 escalating threats against minority groups subsequent to the election results. He expressed concern about rising racial tensions, mentioning an agreement for RFMF personnel to support the police’s efforts.
However, tensions peaked when the former police chief of operations, Abdul Khan, resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources have indicated that his resignation was connected to disagreements about the decision to involve the RFMF in police operations.
Recently, RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai addressed the challenging circumstances following the 2022 election in a media interview, acknowledging the potential for instability affecting the RFMF. He emphasized efforts to engage the RFMF while reaffirming their dedication to preventing further unrest.