Fiji suspends police commissioner, ends China policing agreement

Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho is seen as near former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who was in energy for 16 years.

Sitiveni Rabuka (centre) has been criticised by the army for the tempo of the adjustments his authorities has been making [File: Leon Lord/AFP]

Fiji’s new authorities has suspended the police commissioner and signalled the top of a controversial policing settlement with China.

Elections final 12 months noticed the Pacific island nation’s first change of presidency in 16 years when Sitiveni Rabuka turned prime minister on December 24 after a coalition of events narrowly voted to put in him as chief.

His election victory ended the rule of former army chief Frank Bainimarama.

In accordance with a presidential assertion on Friday, the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-Normal Sitiveni Qiliho had been suspended on the recommendation of the Constitutional Places of work Fee, “pending investigation and referral to and appointment of, a tribunal”.

The Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem was additionally suspended by the fee, the assertion added.

Qiliho was seen as being near Bainimarama.

Fiji has a historical past of army coups and earlier this month, army chief Main-Normal Jone Kalouniwai complained concerning the “ambition and velocity” of the adjustments being made by Rabuka’s authorities.

The island has turn out to be more and more essential within the rising competitors for affect within the area between China and the US. On Thursday, the Fiji Occasions reported Rabuka’s authorities deliberate to finish a police coaching and alternate settlement with China.

In October, Fiji struck a take care of Australia to deepen defence cooperation.

“Our system of democracy and justice programs are completely different so we'll return to people who have comparable programs with us,” Rabuka was quoted as saying on Thursday, referring to Australia and New Zealand.

The prime minister’s workplace didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

Kalouniwai has careworn that Rabuka’s authorities should abide by a 2013 structure which provides the army a key function.

Rabuka himself first rose to prominence in politics when he staged a army coup in 1987, claiming that Fijians had been shedding management of their nation to the descendants of ethnic Indian migrants. He instigated one other coup in the identical 12 months to depose the management he had put in.

After handing energy to an interim administration, he remained commander of the military and minister of dwelling affairs.