New Fiji govt suspends police commissioner, scraps China policing arrangement

Thu, January 26, 2023 
By Kirsty Needham

(Reuters) - Fiji's president on Friday suspended the commissioner of police after a general election saw the first change in government in the Pacific island nation in 16 years, after the military earlier warned against "sweeping changes".

President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere said Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho had been suspended on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission, "pending investigation and referral to and appointment of, a tribunal".

The Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem was also suspended by the commission, the statement said.

Qiliho declined to comment to local media because he said he will face a tribunal over his conduct. He was seen as being close to former prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who led Fiji for 16 years before a coalition of parties narrowly won December's election and installed Sitiveni Rabuka as leader of the strategically important Pacific nation.

The day before a coalition agreement was struck, Qiliho and Bainimarama called on the military to maintain law and order because they said the hung election result had sparked ethnic tensions, a claim disputed by the coalition parties.

The Pacific island nation, which has a history of military coups, has been pivotal to the region's response to competition between China and the United States, and struck a deal with Australia in October for greater defence cooperation.

On Thursday, Fiji Times reported Rabuka said his government would end a police training and exchange agreement with China.

"Our system of democracy and justice systems are different so we will go back to those that have similar systems with us," the prime minister was quoted as saying, referring to Australia and New Zealand.

The prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai earlier this month warned Rabuka's government against making "sweeping changes", and has insisted it abide by a 2013 constitution which gives the military a key role.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)