Politics Archive March 2019

The former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), was alleged to have corruptly received more than $700,000 from the government.

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.
Crowded campaign rallies and long float parades have been going all weekend with boisterous political supporters decked out in party colours, waving banners and voicing their approval for their chosen election candidate.

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.
"All of these types of threats to people to influence votes are wrong and they are illegal and they are against the Electoral Act."

PC Varley Condemns Threats and Intimidation to Voters

Just days out from the election in Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Matthew Varley has condemned candidates' supporters who have reportedly been inciting people to vote using threats of intimidation and violence.
Women from Western Province at a dialogue prep session.

Pushing for Equal Representation

The list of things women shouldn’t do according to Solomon Islands’ culture is long: no wearing shorts, no lingering eye contact with men, no sitting near your brothers and no speaking up, among them.
The Pacific Forum joins a number of international election observers currently in the country.

Pacific Forum Sends Team to Observe Elections

A team of electoral observers representing the Pacific Islands Forum is to observe the Solomons election next week.
“If our MPs switch recognition immediately after the elections, we will know for sure that they have betrayed the country for their own benefit."

Chinese Deal With Former MPs to Switch Recognition After Elections Exposed

The Island Sun has reported that a major political party is negotiating secretly with China to switch recognition from Taiwan following the elections in April in return for money in the pockets of candidates.
Clean up efforts after the oil spill off Rennell Island in Solomon Islands.

Concerns Over Issuance of Mining License

Transparency Solomon Islands says it's concerned about new mining licences to a company at the center of an environmental disaster.
Officers from Honiara boarding RSIPF Vessel Auki for the National General Elections duty in Malaita Province.

Extra Resources Poured into Election Safety and Monitoring

The local Police will assist Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMSA) to monitor boats and vessels for over loading as voters travel to provinces to cast their ballots in the National General Election (NGE) on 3 April 2019.
"Sooner or later, when we see our country hasn't been able to grow out of this relationship, we are at liberty to review our relations and to explore other avenues," said former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who is contesting the election.

Taiwan Ties Maybe Uncertain

As politicians hit the hustings across the Solomon Islands two weeks out from a general election in the South Pacific archipelago, the loyalty of one of Taiwan's few remaining allies is in the balance.
Solomon Islands Electoral Office has decided to roll out the first ever pre-poll voting under the Electoral Act 2018, commencing with Electoral Officials and Police officers who will be engaged during polling day.

First Pre-Poll Voting Successful

The Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) has successfully executed the first ever pre-poll voting – trialing it out with police officers and Election workers.
Hon. Tanangada stood as an Independent candidate in the 2018 by-election for the Gizo/Kolombangara constituency. She polled 2580 votes ahead of former MP and Prime Minister for Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo with 1593 votes.

Uneven Playing Field for Women in Politics

Women make up fewer than ten percent of candidates standing for election this year in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands has remained Taiwan’s diplomatic ally since March 1983. It opened an embassy in Taipei in May 2005. Taiwan has provided substantial aid to sectors such as agriculture, education, and health in Solomon Islands.

Could There Be A Diplomatic Switch?

The forthcoming national elections in Solomon Islands in April have once again raised the issue of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (hereafter “Taiwan”) and Solomon Islands.
“Following the revocation of the knighthood by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 24th November 2016, Kemakeza will no longer be referred to as ‘Sir’,” a government statement said.

Government House Clarifies Reference to Kemakeza

Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza has already lost the knighthood title he was awarded in 2001 and should not be referred to as “Sir Allan” again.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) members have already begun assisting with some training for RSIPF members in the areas like logistics, operations, and communications.

Police Welcomes Australian and New Zealand Support

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) welcomes the support from the Australian and New Zealand Governments to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and is ready for the National General Election (NGE) on 3 April 2019.
The owner of a Hong Kong bulk carrier that is spilling oil in the Solomon Islands has issued an apology over the environmental disaster.

Israel Offers Support to Oil Spill

Israel is offering to send five experts to the Rennell Islands in Solomon Islands who are trained to respond to pollution at sea and shore.
MSG Observer Team Finalized

MSG Observer Team Finalized

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)Secretariat has finalised its Observer Team to monitor the National General Elections in the Solomon Islands on 03 April 2019, following an invitation by the Solomon Islands Government.
The clean-up of an oil spill from a bulk carrier run aground in the Solomon Islands could reach $50m.

Companies May Face Blacklisting Following Oil Spill

The Solomon Islands Government may blacklist companies involved in oil spill catastrophe following the Solomon Trader crash.
The Australian government has sent salvage experts to assist the response and vowed to help the Solomons make sure those responsible for the spill are held to account.

Slow Response Criticized

The Australian Government has criticized the slow response from firms linked to a grounded cargo ship in the Solomon Islands.
Media reports show a thick oily blanket of tar spreading over the beaches, rockpools, logs and leaves affecting human activity.

Oil Spills: When Do We Learn?

Welcome to the dirty, murky world of oil spills.
“The insurer and owner of the grounded MV Solomon Trader have offered a sincere apology to the people of the Solomon Islands following the bauxite carrier’s grounding on a sensitive reef near Rennell Island,” insurer Korea Protection and Indemnity Club and Hong Kong owner King Trader Ltd said in a statement.

Solomon Trader Owner Apologizes

Solomon Trader leak on the doorstep of a world heritage site on Rennell Island in Solomon Islands could cost $5m to clean up.
A thick oily blanket of tar now covers the surface of the water and coats beaches, rock pools, logs, and leaves, with local reports saying that residents are struggling to sleep because of the smell and that some people have been burned after coming into contact with the oil while trying to clean it up.

Locals Struggle with Oil Spill Effects

A massive oil spill next to the UNESCO World Heritage site in the Solomon Islands is straining the lives of local residents who say they have been forced to drink rainwater because fresh water has been contaminated.
People’s time and money are wasted just to come to Honiara looking for where the paper trail is triggering the call to consider having a constituency office set up in Shortland Islands.

Calls for Constituency Office in Shortlands

Constituents of Shortland Islands in Western Province, Solomon Islands says the absence of a constituency office back at their island is costly for their people.
The RSIPF through its National Crime Prevention Department is conducting awareness meetings in communities, schools, churches and market places in an around Honiara as part of the Force’s preparations for the National General Elections.

Police Continues Peaceful Election Awareness

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have emphasised during an awareness talk to members of the Christian Outreach Centre (C.O.C) congregation in Honiara that the country wants a peaceful and crime free National General Election on 3 April 2019.

Politics Archive

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007