Politics Archive April 2019
59 articles
RSIPF Urges Students to Stay Away from Further Disturbance
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) appeals to secondary and university students in and around Honiara to stay away from any groups that may be planning further disturbances in the capital City.
The Politics of Riots in the Solomon Islands
Riots erupted in Honiara on 24 April after Manasseh Sogavare was elected Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands for the fourth time. In protest, angry crowds hurling rocks descended on Chinatown and vandalized the Pacific Casino Hotel, as they had also done in the aftermath of the 2006 elections.
‘Maintain Status Quo, For Now’: Sogavare on Taiwan Relations
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says that Solomon Islands will maintain ties with Taiwan, although such ties are not ‘hard and fixed.’
Riots in Solomon Islands: The Day After
Riots broke out in Solomon Islands on 24 April following the parliament’s controversial election of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Situation is Returning to Normal: PC Varley
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) reassures the general public in Honiara and business houses that situation is returning to normal.
PM Acknowledges All for Peace and Calm
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed his gratitude to the general public for taking the right steps in allowing law and order to take its course.
Sogavare’s Eligibility Case May Take Months
The case against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare may take months, this is according to the High Courts.
Statement From The Governor General Sir Frank Kabui
Statement from the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui, on the conduct of election of the Prime Minister.
Australia's High Commissioner Congratulates Sogavare
Australia's High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Roderick Brazier, has congratulated Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on his election, and pledged to work closely with his government.
Sogavare Names Five Ministers in New Cabinet Line Up
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has named five Ministers in his new Cabinet lineup.
High Court Adjourns Sogavare's Case to Thursday Next Week
The High Court has adjourned the case challenging the validity of Manasseh Sogavare’s candidacy as Prime Minister to Thursday next week.
It's Business As Usual: Tuamoto
The election of Manasseh Sogavare as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands for the fourth time on Wednesday spurred isolated incidents of violence and vandalism.
Security Situation Under Control: PC Varley
Police Commissioner Mathew Varley says the security situation in Honiara is now under control.
Maelanga Calls for Calm After Riots
East Malaita Member of Parliament Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has called on Honiara community members to remain calm and respect the law after strings of riots erupted in parts of the city yesterday.
Sogavare Sworn-in as Prime Minister
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare has been sworn-in as Solomon Islands new Prime Minister by the Governor General Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui at Government House immediately after his election by Members of Parliament.
‘Sadness, Fear and Helplessness’: Chinese Shops Targeted as Looters Run Amok
A scene of utter devastation as shop owners, most of them Chinese, pick up the pieces following the rioting and looting by youths after the election of Prime Minister yesterday afternoon.
Wale and Camp Boycott Election of Prime Minister
Mathew Wale, the candidate of the Grand Coalition for Prime Minister, and all sixteen members of the coalition boycotted the election of Prime Minister yesterday.
Police Arrests 30, Calls for Calm
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has so far arrested more than 30 suspects for offences involved in disturbances in Honiara after the election of the Prime Minister on yesterday morning.
Police on High Alert
Police are on high alert with reports of riots in various parts of Honiara.
Liquor Ban Extended to Include Thursday
Those that may have reasons to celebrate, or drown out their sorrow, after the outcome of today’s election of Prime Minister will have to wait until Friday.
Sogavare Elected Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare is Solomon Islands newly elected Prime Minster – he polled 34 votes to Mathew Wale’s 16.
Taiwan Monitors Election of Prime Minister
Taiwan is closely monitoring the political situation in the Solomon Islands as the Pacific ally prepares for a vote for a new Prime Minister that could determine the future of ties between the two countries.
Election of Prime Minister Goes Ahead
The election of the Prime Minister has gone ahead despite questions surrounding the eligibility of Manasseh Sogavare, the candidate for the Democratic Coalition for Advancement Government (DCAG).
Honiara on Lock Down as MPs Meet to Pick PM
Honiara is on lock down as Members of Parliament convene to select the next Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
The Surprising Sameness of the Solomon Islands Elections
There is a new normal for Solomon Islands politics – a fund of money makes sitting MPs much stronger than historically.
Say No To Political Violence: Varley
Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Matthew Varley today urged parishioners at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Honiara to help spread an Easter message of peace in the community and to encourage people to say no to any violence during the election of the Prime Minister on 24 April 2019.
Grand Coalition Questions Legality of Sogavare’s Nomination
The Grand Coalition Group (GC) has questioned the legality of Manasseh Sogavare’s nomination ahead of the election of Prime Minister tomorrow morning.
Its Wale Against Sogavare for Prime Minister
At the close of nominations yesterday the two candidates, as confirmed by Government House, nominated by their respective party are Mathew Wale and Manasseh Sogavare.
Comments by Certain MPs Worrying: Dr Kabutaulaka
Some comments by Solomon Islands MPs in the lead up to them electing a Prime Minister are worrying, an academic says.
Police Says Procession or Public Gathering Not Permitted
To ensure public safety, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will not permit any application for a procession or public gathering to be held in Honiara City as a lead up to the election of the Prime Minister on 24 April 2019.
Sogavare Nominated for PM Post
The Democratic Coalition for Advancement Government (DCAG) has nominated Manasseh Sogavare as its candidate for the upcoming election of the Prime Minister.
RSIPF Rolls Out Awareness Program Ahead of PM Election
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), National Crime Prevention Department in Honiara are rolling out an awareness program encouraging members of the community to work together as the newly elected Members of Parliament prepare to appoint a new Prime Minister and a new government.
24th April Declared for PM’s Election
The Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui, has declared April 24th 2019 as the date for the election of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister.
Peter Kenilorea Jr. Nominated for Prime Minister
The Grand Coalition Group has picked United Party (UP) Leader Peter Kenilorea (Jr) as its candidate for the position of Prime Minister.
Church Attackers Arrested
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Guadalcanal Province arrested five men on 14 April 2019 following an alleged attack on a church building with rocks while people were praying inside at Makina Village in East Guadalcanal.
New Coalition Group Formed, Claims 33 MPs
A newly formed Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) has signed a coalition agreement to form the next government.
SIDP Confident of 28 MPs, Still to Sign Coalition Agreement
The political numbers game is shifting yet again with the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) claiming 28 members ahead of the convening of Parliament to elect the Prime Minister.
RSIPF Contains Tension Between Two Parties in Malaita Province
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have managed to contain possible tension situation between two rival parties after the death of a male person at Sulufou Island in North East Malaita in an election related incident on 8 April 2019.
OUR Party Claims 17 Independent MPs
OUR Party is claiming that they have 17 Independent MPs, despite being formally registered few days ago.
Sogavare Re-launches Our Party
Manasseh Sogavare, now in his sixth term in Parliament, has relaunched Our Party - a party he formed in early 2010.
Police Investigate Election Related Death
Solomon Islands police are investigating the death of a man near Malaita Province linked to last week's election.
SIDP Working on a Grand Coalition
Reports are emerging that the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) are working on a grand coalition with all the minor parties.
Independent MPs Will Dictate Outcome
It is all about the Independent MPs, it always has been.
Police Commends Public for Peaceful NGE Outcome
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commends members of the public for their great behavior shown during the National General Election (NGE) including during the counting of ballots and the declaration of the results which ended on 7 April 2019.
Step Aside Voters, Power Brokers Here to Play
The quest to form government is now well underway, perhaps by now camps are being set up, MPs flown in from their respective constituencies, whisked away by waiting vehicles on arrival.
Two Parties Battle to Form Government
Two political parties are seeking to form the next government as lobbying intensifies.
Counting Ends, Independent MPs Lead
Independent MPs are leading the count in the Solomon Islands national general elections as focus switches to the formation of government.
Commonwealth Observers Commend Elections
The Commonwealth observer group has commended the commitment of the people of Solomon Islands to participating peacefully in last Wednesday's national election.
Houenipwela Returns for Third Term
Caretaker Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela has retained his seat of Small Malaita. He is a member of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP).
In With Some New, Still With the Old
Counting for the 2019 Solomon Islands National General Elections concluded late yesterday evening. All 50 seats has been filled, of that 13 are new MPs while 37 are incumbents.
Kandere Party Leads As Results Come In
Kandere is leading the count as results come in.
Tanangada Defeats Lilo in Closely Contested Election
Lanelle Tanangada has defeated, for the second time, former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in a closely contested election in the Gizo/Kolombangara Constituency.
Former MPs Perform Strongly As Results Come in
Results so far show that former Members of Parliament are performing strongly.
Dr Togamana Retains Seat
The first official result for the 2019 national general elections has been released by the Electoral Commission.
No Victory Parades Allowed
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will take stern action against anyone who organises or participates in any float parade on our roads either in Honiara or the provinces or on our seas to celebrate any winning candidate in the National General Election.
Solomon Islands Braces for Election Results
The first results of the Solomon Islands election are expected today as counting gets underway in the country.
No Major Security Threat Expected During Elections
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) assures stakeholders, National General Election observers and citizens of the country that there are no known major threats to the National General Election this week but, “we are planning for everything”.
Former Infrastructure Permanent Secretary Jailed
Last week the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Mr. Henry Aife Murray was sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment after earlier being found guilty on 11 charges of Official Corruption by the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.
Solomon Islands Prepares for 3rd April
Today is the last day of campaigning in Solomon Islands ahead of the National General Election on Wednesday 3rd of April.
