Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner who is currently imprisoned for abuse of office, is now facing an investigation concerning remarks he made after the 2022 General Election.
The inquiry is centered around comments he made in December 2022 about alleged instability and violence following the elections. Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the investigation is specifically looking into Qiliho’s claims regarding unverified reports of stoning incidents and vandalism.
On December 21, 2022, a week after the General Election, Qiliho stated that police had received unconfirmed reports of stoning, despite the callers not submitting official reports. He then ordered the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to carry out an extensive investigation into reports of vandalism in that area.
The following day, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the police in upholding law and order due to increasing threats against minority groups following the election outcomes. He voiced concerns about rising racial tensions and indicated that an agreement had been made for RFMF personnel to support police operations.
However, tensions increased when Abdul Khan, the former police chief of operations, resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Sources suggest that his resignation was linked to disagreements over the decision to involve the RFMF in police affairs.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently addressed the sensitive situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the potential instability it posed for the RFMF. He emphasized the importance of involving the RFMF while reaffirming their commitment to preventing further unrest.