Politics Archive December 2021
45 articles
China Hands Over Riot Gear to Police
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has officially received riot gears and equipment from China during a handing over ceremony at Henderson International Airport last night.
Suspected Omicron and Delta Cases Detected in Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands has lost its COVID-19 status after two returning passengers tested positive for COVID-19.
Government Accepts China's Offer to Assist Police As Normalcy Returns
The Government and people of Solomon Islands reiterate heartfelt thoughts to all impacted by last month’s civil unrest.
Teenagers Arrested for Burning Parliament Leaf Hut During Unrest
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Central Police Station have arrested two alleged suspects on 19 December 2021 for burning down a leaf hut at the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
Australian Peacekeepers Winding Down as Normalcy Returns to Honiara
A contingent of foreign peacekeepers deployed to the crisis-hit Solomon Islands will begin to return home, the Australian government said.
Armed Forces to Remain on Standby
While military presence will be scaled down in Honiara, Solomon Islands, contingents from the Fijian, Australian and New Zealand armed forces will remain on standby to ensure stability in the island nation.
An Indigenous Solution to the Current Crises
The current political impasse between the government, the opposition group and Suidani’s provincial government requires an indigenous solution. But which indigenous solution?
China and Solomon Islands Foreign Ministers Talk Over Phone on Ties
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremiah Manele held a phone conversation on bilateral ties and cooperation on Thursday.
State Diplomacy: When Love and Hate Collide
In all matters concerning State diplomacy domestic considerations come first. At its core is this one guiding principle: foreign policy is an extension of one’s domestic policy.
Sogavare Hopeful State Government System Will Keep Country United
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare says he is hopeful the call for the introduction of a state government system will result in a united Solomon Islands.
12 Year Old Girl Raped, Suspect in Custody
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at the Henderson Police Station have arrested a 29-year-old male suspect for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl at the Lungga farm in Central Guadalcanal on 4 December 2021.
Australian High Commission, AFP, ADF and RSIPF Meet With NCW
"The needs and rights of women and girls are a key priority in our response to the recent civil unrest," the Australian High Commission said.
Kiwi Defence Force Personnel Return Home as Tensions Ease
Some New Zealand military personnel deployedas part of the international assistance mission to the Solomon Islands have returned home early.
Negative COVID-19 Test Results for Defence and Police Personnel
Around 200 defence and police personnel deployed in Honiara to assist with restoration of law and order have successfully completed their 10 and 14 days period of health monitoring with all COVID-19 test results returning negative.
Police Charge Kwaita with Unlawful Public Assembly
United Party president John Kwaita has been charged with unlawful public assembly, in breach of COVID-19 rules under the current state of public emergency.
United Party President Released by Police
President of the United Party, John Kwaita, has been released by the police.
US Ambassador Warns of Aid that Benefits One Person, One Party and One Bank Account
The U.S. ambassador to the Solomon Islands Erin McKee has warned Pacific Islands against "aid that benefits one person, one party and one bank account" - remarks that come after the Solomons were beset with riots last month blamed in part on discontent with China.
Police Investigates Threats of Attack on Capital
The Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau says there is an active investigation into alleged threats of a “second wave attack” on the capital Honiara.
Police Arrest United Party Leader
John Kwaita, President of the United Party, was arrested last night and currently in police custody.
PM Travels to Western Province for Second Appointed Day Celebrations
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his delegation have arrived in Western Province today, one day ahead of Western Province’s second appointed day celebrations tomorrow.
Governor General Lifts Curfew
The curfew imposed in Honiara has been lifted commencing today 10 December 2021 by the Governor-General of Solomon Islands.
Chief Calls on Guadalcanal Leaders to Push for Federal System
A local Chief from Guadalcanal has called on elected representatives from Guadalcanal at the provincial and national level to work together and push for the introduction of a federal system in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands' Civic Freedoms Downgraded to 'Narrowed'
Restrictions to media freedoms, access to information and the right to protest have hurt Solomon Islanders' civil rights, according to a new report.
Independence Agenda Dividing Malaita: Maelanga
Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Malaita, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga, says Malaita’s push for independence is dividing the province and its people.
New Zealand Navy Ship Deployed to Solomon Islands
New Zealand has deployed a navy ship to the Solomon Islands to help peacekeeping efforts after political unrest in the capital, Honiara.
We Are Not Doing Enough As Lawmakers: Kenilorea
The Member of Parliament for East Are’are Hon. Peter Kenilorea (Jr) says the government should work at getting more Bills to Parliament. This statement was made during his contribution to the motion of sine die.
Kenilorea Rejects Any Notion of Involvement in Unrest
Member of Parliament for East Are’are Hon. Peter Kenilorea (Jr) says he rejects any notions that he or his colleagues in the opposition bench were involved in the recent unrest.
Police Commends Public for Good Behaviour During Parliament Sitting
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commends the community for the good behaviour shown during the Motion of no Confidence against the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday, (6 December 2021) with no reported disturbances in Honiara.
Taiwan Denies Involvement in Solomon Islands Riots
Taiwan's government has denied any involvement in the recent protest and riots in the Solomon Islands.
Premier Suidani Calls for Self Autonomy for Malaita
Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani has made a public call for self autonomy.
Sogavare Defeats Motion
Members of Parliament have defeated the motion being tabled by the Opposition Leader Mathew Wale. Those that voted in favor of the motion was 15, those that voted against the motion was 32 with 2 MPs abstained from voting.
Wale Critical of Sogavare’s Leadership Style
Leader of Opposition Mathew Wale says that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been insincere in his dealings with certain segments of Malaita and its Premier Daniel Suidani.
Sogavare Says He is a Defender of Democracy
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has acknowledged those in government that have remained firm despite pressure from rioters for them to resign in the past week.
MP Lanelle Tanangada Speaks Against Motion
The MP for Gizo/Kolombangara and Minister of Education Lanelle Tanangada has spoken against the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
"Leadership Should Not Come from Ashes of Riots," Danny Philip
Member of Parliament for South New Georgia, Rendova/Tetepare Danny Philip has called on leaders not to allow leadership to come from the ashes of riots.
Togamana and Tovosia Defend Government's Record
Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia and Member of Parliament for Maringe/Kokota Dr Culwick Togamana have defended governments record under the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Former Prime Minister Digs Up Sogavare’s Track Record
The Member of Parliament of Small Malaita, and former Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela, has dug up the Prime Ministers track record in his contribution on the motion of no confidence before Parliament.
Motion in Recognition of Anger Based on Political and Economic Issues: Wale
The Opposition Leader says the motion of no confidence on the Prime Minister is in recognition of the anger on longstanding political issues.
Honiara Shuts Down Ahead of No-confidence Vote
An air of uncertainty fills the air, a cloud of darkness hovers across the nation’s capital Honiara.
Decision Day for Sogavare’s Government
After the looting and burning of Honiara the democratic process will now test the Sogavare led government’s mandate to lead.
Half a Billion Dollars: Unrest Damages Higher Than Initial Assessment
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has updated its initial assessment on the cost of the damage of the riot on the local economy.
Applicants for Seasonal Work Involved in Unrest Will be Removed
The Labour Mobility Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is urging all seasonal worker program candidates to remain focus as they prepare to undertake the employment opportunity in Australia.
Politics of Hate and Division
People are tired of the claims and counter claims, accusations and counter-accusations, it is tiring and not helpful for a country seeking to heal.
New Zealand Forces Coming to Solomon Islands
The New Zealand government has confirmed that it will be deploying dozens of Defence Force and police personnel to Honiara tommorow to help restore peace and stability.
Cease in Violence an Opportunity for Dialogue
The regional intervention force led by Australia has returned normalcy and peace to the capital, Honiara.
