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Solomon Islands References 7KH&RDOLWLRQIRU1DWLRQDO8QLW\DQG &OLQWRQ+LOODU\2010. Remarks with Rural Advancement (cnura) govern- Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir ment entered 2010 with a focus on Michael Somare. US Department of State the national general elections several website, 31RYHPEHUKWWS ZZZVWDWH months ahead. In the last two or so JRYVHFUHWDU\UP201011150352.htm years that they were in power, the [accessed 18 April 2011] government recorded passing a higher Gelu, Alphonse. 2010. Politics and number of legislations than any other Governance. In Papua New Guinea’s government since independence. They Development Performance: ¥, also stabilized diplomatic relations edited by Webster Thomas and Duncan with neighboring countries, and Linda, 141–161. nri Monograph 41. Port the case of a former attorney gen- Moresby: National Research Institute. eral—which was instrumental for the Islands Business. 2010. 400 in Bulolo downfall of the government before Resign in Fear for Their Lives in PNG. cnura—was brought before relevant 25 August. authorities. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have set up Kantha, Solomon. 2009. Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2008: Papua offices in Honiara and are working New Guinea. The Contemporary Pacific well with the government. The first 21:364–373. half of 2010 was occupied with the registration of voters and prepara- BBBBBBB2010. Melanesia in Review: tion for the national elections. This Issues and Events, 2009: Papua New review concentrates on events leading Guinea. The Contemporary Pacific up to the national elections, govern- 22:448–459. ment formation, and some notable Ladley, Andrew, Ole Holtved, and developments and events that occurred Solomon Kantha. 2010. Improving the throughout the year. Electoral Roll and Voter Identification in Just before the dissolution of Parlia- Papua New Guinea. nri Discussion Paper ment in 2010, then Prime Minister 111. Port Moresby: National Research Dr Derek Sikua attempted to push Institute. through what was called the Politi- The National. Daily. Port Moresby. cal Parties Integrity Bill, which was KWWS ZZZWKHQDWLRQDOFRPSJ aimed at reducing political instability in government—an endemic feature of Pacific Islands Report. Solomon Islands politics (SSN, 22 April KWWS SLGSHDVWZHVWFHQWHURUJSLUHSRUW 2010). Unfortunately (or fortunately), Post Courier. Daily. Port Moresby. it was defeated because of what Dr KWWS ZZZSRVWFRXULHUFRPSJ Sikua believed to be a move orches- pol i t ical reviews melanesia 505 trated by some of his own ministers June 2010). Nevertheless, Be-mobile and backbenchers. This occurred on installed its towers and network, and 24 April, two days before the dissolu- by the end of August it launched its tion of Parliament (SSN, 13 July 2010), network with the tagline “mifala long and signaled an end to the solidarity hia nao” (we are now here) (sto, 31 of the cnura, which was enthusias- Aug 2010). Solomon Islands Prime tic to enter the national election as a Minister Danny Philip praised Be- political group. At their meeting on mobile, claiming that “the launch 5 April 2010, the political parties that of Be-mobile’s network has brought had been running the cnura govern- the country to a new threshold of a ment (ie, National Party, Solomon new partnership and a new begin- Islands Democratic Party, Solomon ning for governments, the private Islands’ Party for Rural Advancement, sector and other stakeholders” (sto, Liberal Party, People’s Alliance Party, 9 Nov 2010). This was a momentous and the Association of Independents) achievement, as telecommunication had agreed to sign a preelection coali- prices were slashed because of the tion agreement that would allow them competition. Recent reports have it to regroup after elections (sto, 7 April that, in the Pacific, Solomon Islands is 2010). They felt that the cnura gov- now second only to Tonga in terms of ernment under Sikua’s leadership had mobile phone use (SSN, 2 Feb 2011). achieved a lot and therefore should Another notable development in continue with its good work. The 2010 was the progress toward reopen- defeat of the Political Parties Integrity ing the Gold Ridge mine on Guadalca- Bill ended what could have been a nal. The company was granted a loan road to political stability in the legisla- of us$35 million by the International WXUH&RQVHTXHQWO\PDQ\PRUHSDUWLHV )LQDQFH&RUSRUDWLRQWRIDFLOLWDWH emerged to contest the elections, as developments toward reopening the will be discussed later. mine (sibc, 25 June 2010). By May While the cnura government 2010, big machines and equipment for was still in caretaker mode, a second work on the mining site were arriv- mobile service provider in the country ing in the country. It is hoped that established its infrastructure. This the gold mine will start production in became possible after the monopoly March 2011 (SSN, 26 June 2010). The over telecommunication services was FRQVWUXFWLRQRIUHVHWWOHPHQWUHORFD- removed in 2009. The Be-mobile tion villages was also reportedly going company erected towers and set up an well, with a total of 320 houses being office in the country. It also promised built (SSN, 23 Aug 2010). Drilling at to offer coverage for 25 percent of the Gold Ridge was also going well, with population by mid-June 2010. There the company targeting 320,000 ounces were concerns earlier that the com- per year by 2015 (SSN, 12 Nov 2010). pany seemed like it was not making Nevertheless, a number of outstanding progress after it had obtained a license issues with landowners might hinder to operate. Indeed, the company was progress toward reopening. In March fined us$1.5 million for failing to 2010, landowners and mine work- launch its network on time (sto, 30 ers called on the company to remove 506 the contemporary pacific 23:2 (2011) the general manager over allegations told their stories, including forty-five of mistreatment of workers (mostly victims in Gizo, Western Province (SSN, from neighboring villages) and neglect 10 July 2010). Like victims in other of occupational health and safety provinces, those from Gizo testi- requirements in the workplace (sto, fied about missing members of their 27 March 2010). Three mine work- families, imprisonments, physical and ers, believed to have been affected by psychological abuse, loss of proper- cyanide poisoning, were taken to a ties through destruction or forced hospital in Honiara. Unfortunately, removal, and other horrific experi- there was no proper facility to test ences (SSN, 11 March 2010). Some are cyanide poisoning in Honiara, so the still waiting for clues on the where- doctor recommended they be sent abouts of the remains of their loved overseas for testing. These events, plus ones. For example, a Malaitan mother complaints about people getting itchy pleaded with the trc to locate the rashes after using the river down- body of her husband who went miss- stream, forced landowners to follow ing at the height of the tensions (SSN, through on their threat of roadblocks, 26 Nov 2010). The trc had identified which they carried out in July 2010. up to 150 grave sites by December, Their concern was the company’s and plans to exhume them are under- failure to provide water supplies as way (ISN, 8 Dec 2010). Others, like agreed to earlier (sto, 13 March a child soldier from Guadalcanal, 2010). Toward the end of 2010, the revealed their experiences and how landowners were becoming skeptical they got involved (SSN, 25 Nov 2010). of the company for not addressing In spite of the tedious and painstak- outstanding issues, and this could ing work, the trc has achieved a potentially delay the first gold pour great deal by providing an avenue expected in March 2011 (SSN, for people to start their own healing 7 Feb 2011). process through its open, genuine, and Two important commissions trying transparent process. to find solutions to the roots of the The other commission, celdapg, 1998–2003 tensions—the Truth and also started off on a high note after 5HFRQFLOLDWLRQ&RPPLVVLRQ trc) and its establishment. The commission is WKH&RPPLVVLRQRI(QTXLU\LQWR/DQG headed by Brian Brunton of Papua Dealings and Abandoned Proper- 1HZ*XLQHDDQGDVVLVWHGE\&RPPLV- ties on Guadalcanal (celdapg)— sioners Manoa Rabuka and Stephen continued their work in 2010. The 7DJLRI)LMLDQG9DQXDWXUHVSHFWLYHO\ TRC, launched by Bishop Emeritus Technical and support staff are also Desmond Tutu in 2009, toured the assisting the commission. At the onset provinces, talking to people who had of their work, a prominent Guadal- EHHQYLFWLPVDQGSHUSHWUDWRUVRIIHQG- canal leader, Waita Ben Tabusasi, ers during the 1998–2003 tensions. expressed concern that the terms of The commission discovered that many reference of the commission fell “short people are still suffering from post- of taking into consideration the inten- traumatic stress (SSN, 9 April 2010). tions of those who authored, negoti- Moreover, people opened up and ated and signed the Townsville Peace pol i t ical reviews melanesia 507
Agreement . . . namely the govern- the date to elect members of the 9th ment and former combatants of both Parliament, nineteen political parties Malaita and Guadalcanal” (sto, 28 were registered, and 508 candidates Aug 2009). Nevertheless, the commis- contested the fifty-two constituencies. sion held consultative meetings in their The total number of registered voters Honiara office and other regions of was recorded as 448,259 (sto, 19 July Guadalcanal. Unfortunately, its efforts 2010). From the onset, discrepancies were abruptly stopped in late 2010 in voter registration were noted. For amid allegations of misuse of funds instance, in a presentation at the Uni- and cronyism on the part of the chair- YHUVLW\RI&DQWHUEXU\3DXO5RXJKDQ man and some local officers. A counsel argued that if the 1999 census report assisting the enquiry, Ruth Townsend, is something to go by, the total num- publicly claimed that employees were ber of eligible voters for 2010 would defrauding the commission. Examples be around 265,000. Likewise, the of alleged unethical deals include the estimated number of eligible voters purchase of a computer supposedly for Honiara alone would be around worth si$389,800, with that amount 31,600. However, for the 2010 elec- then deducted from the commission’s tions, the number of voters registered funds, and the payment for ten flash for Honiara had increased by 349 drives that supposedly cost si$12,000 percent to reach 110,572 voters, while (SSN, 23 Oct 2010). (One Solomon the number for the whole country Islands dollar [si$] is approximately increased by 169 percent to 448,259 us$.12.) The seriousness of allega- registered voters (Roughan 2010). tions published by Ms Townsend in With limited time and resources local media outlets was enough for the to sort out these discrepancies, the government to put a halt to the work (OHFWRUDO&RPPLVVLRQSURFHHGHG of celdapg for two months to allow with the election. The results of the for police investigation (ISN, 29 Oct elections revealed that a majority of 2010). Another commission mandated elected members of Parliament were to deal with land belonging to Rus- newcomers. At the same time, none sell Islands Plantations Enterprises of the political parties that contested Limited was also suspended indefi- the election emerged with significant nitely because its mandate had been numbers of elected members. Only extended four times with no concrete the Solomon Islands Democratic Party findings. As of the end of the year won as many as 13 seats, while 19 no word has come from the govern- members were voted in as Indepen- ment regarding these investigations or dents. Eleven political parties secured whether or not celdapg will continue 3 seats or fewer, while six parties did with its work. not win any seats at all. Given that Of course, the peak of Solomon scenario, the only way to form a new Islands national politics in 2010 was government was through a coalition. the administration of the national Although the 2010 election was general elections and subsequent generally peaceful, certain communi- formation of a government. With ties received the results with mixed the announcement of 6 August as feelings. In North East Guadalcanal, 508 the contemporary pacific 23:2 (2011) for instance, a public vehicle carry- with Danny Philip becoming the ing passengers and market produce official prime minister candidate for was pelted with stones simply because the Honiara Hotel camp. The elec- they were from the winning candi- tion of the prime minister went in date’s neighboring villages. Similarly, favor of the Honiara Hotel group, in Auki, Malaita, there was an inci- twenty-six votes to twenty-three, and dent of ballot box burning during the Danny Philip was duly elected the new counting day. The dissenters argued prime minister of Solomon Islands in that there were more ballots than the 2010 (sto, 25 Aug 2010). He formed number of registered voters (ISN, 10 WKH1DWLRQDO&RDOLWLRQIRU5HIRUP Aug 2010). Likewise, in Lata, Temotu, and Advancement (ncra) after his the supporters of a long-serving politi- appointment. cian who lost his seat broke into the On the international front, the shop owned by the winning candidate Solomon Islands government officially (ISN, 6 Aug 2010). These incidents of RSHQHGLWV+LJK&RPPLVVLRQLQ)LML violence and overt protests over the in December 2010 and appointed His declaration of some results reflect ten- Excellency Moses Kouni Mose as the dencies in Solomon Islands since the first Solomon Islands high commis- social tensions of 1998–2003. sioner to Fiji. The office has become Lobbying commenced soon after necessary because Fiji has the larg- election results were declared, with est population of Solomon Islanders three political camps visible. One, studying and working outside of the comprising the Independent mem- country. Business and trade consider- bers of Parliament, was based at the ations between these two Melanesian Honiara Hotel, while a group headed countries necessitated this move as by the leader of the Solomon Islands well. Apart from that, the nation’s Democratic Party and prominent leaders delivered addresses at promi- members of the former cnura gov- nent forums. On 15 November 2010, ernment camped at the Heritage Park Prime Minister Danny Philip gave an Hotel. The third group, led by the address to the World Ocean Forum in leader of the Reformed Democratic Busan, Korea, on the importance of Party, Danny Philip, came together marine ecosystems to Pacific Islands DWWKH3DFLILF&DVLQR+RWHO&RQWUD- livelihoods and economies. Dur- dictory messages as to who would ing the conference, he echoed the form the government came from the idea that “we are the nursery of the three camps, with members of Par- biodiversity and the ecosystem of our liament appearing in group photos ocean” (SSN, 16 Nov 2010). Also, the of the three camps obtained by the minister of foreign affairs and external local media (sibc, 11 Aug 2010). As trade addressed the 65th Session of lobby ing intensified, only the Honiara the United Nations General Assem- Hotel and Heritage Park Hotel camps bly on 27 September 2010. Among confirmed their intentions to contest other things, he reported to the world the prime minister’s position. Mem- forum that Solomon Islands has a EHUVLQWKH3DFLILF&DVLQR+RWHOZHUH “mixed, uneven and off the track” absorbed into the other two camps, scorecard on achieving the Millennium pol i t ical reviews melanesia 509
Development Goals by the expected between negotiating partners (sto, 22 2015 date. Oct 2010). A few months earlier, then On the regional front, Solomon Minister of Foreign Affairs William Islands played an important role in Haomae shared similar sentiments but mending rifts among Melanesian went further, saying that Australia was political leaders. The Melanesian not listening to Pacific Island countries Spearhead Group (msg) leaders with regard to pacer-Plus talks (sto, were on bad terms over who should 1 April 2010). This particular pacer- chair the subregional body. Since the Plus officials’ meeting was an impor- frustration of Fiji’s plans to host an tant development since it engaged msg meeting under its chairmanship for the first time with the annual in mid-2010)LMLDQG9DQXDWXZHUH Non-State Actors (nsa) Dialogue. The not on good terms, and Fiji withdrew dialogue was organized with the help from participating in MSG matters. of the Pacific Islands Forum to engage 9DQXDWXZDVUHOXFWDQWWRKDQGRYHU the nsa in discussions about pacer- the chairmanship role to Fiji, citing Plus negotiations. The general senti- the Fiji regime’s undemocratic ascent ment shared by the nsa was the need WRSRZHU3ROLWLFDOHYHQWVLQ9DQXDWX to properly carry out national consul- forced then Prime Minister Edward tations on pacer-Plus without rushing Natapei out of office, and a more con- to finalize the agreement. The chair ciliatory person, the Honorable Sato of the nsa Dialogue over pacer-Plus .LOPDQEHFDPH9DQXDWXªVQHZSULPH put it succinctly, stating that “time and minister. (Natapei was removed for money will not go to waste if talks to missing three consecutive sittings of set up a free trade area between the Parliament without providing reasons Pacific Islands, Australia and New for his absences.) The Solomon Islands =HDODQGDUHQRWVXFFHVVIXO¨ SSN, 18 government then intervened in the Oct 2010). msg matter and invited leaders of The ncra government started ERWK)LMLDQG9DQXDWXWR+RQLDUD office with a slim majority. When where a traditional reconciliation was Prime Minister Philip announced his held, after which the MSG chairman- cabinet lineup on 25 August 2010, ship was handed over to Fiji (SSN, 16 two former militant leaders-turned- Dec 2010). members of Parliament were in the Solomon Islands also hosted a group, leaving many people skeptical meeting of Pacific Agreement on of the government’s intentions. Also &ORVHU(FRQRPLF5HODWLRQV pacer) on that date, a tragic event occurred Plus officials in Honiara. This was a when the newly elected member for summit of senior trade officials from the Shortland Islands, the Honorable around the Pacific who are to make Steven Laore, passed away after a recommendations to the next Forum party to commemorate the formation Trade Ministers meeting. Opening the of the government. He had aligned discussion, Solomon Islands Minister himself with the ncra government, so of Finance Gordon Lilo asked the the numbers were shaky from day one. participants to be conscious of the Moreover, a number of government differences in the development levels ministers are facing court cases for a 510 the contemporary pacific 23:2 (2011) variety of alleged crimes. For instance, and for Ngella, Mark Kemakeza. Jimmy Lusibaea, Mark Kemakeza, Over the course of a month, they both and David Pacha all have court cases moved twice between the government outstanding but were still appointed as and the Opposition, making a mock- ministers (sto, 10 Dec 2010). Lusi- ery of parliamentary procedures and baea was subsequently imprisoned for office oaths. This sentiment, shared crimes committed during the tensions by many people, was well stated by with a sentence of two years and nine Pastor George Tafoa of the South Seas months but was released in early 2011 (YDQJHOLFDO&KXUFKZKHQKHODPHQWHG by the parole board. His controversial that “ministers when taking up their release received immense opposition oath of allegiance swore before god to from professional bodies, promi- remain faithful to their government, nent citizens, opposition members of only to break this promise by switch- Parliament, and civil society (sto, ing to the other side of the house” 17 Jan 2011). This contentious case is (ISN, 4 Feb 2011). unlikely to end here and may continue With the way things were in to be featured in 2011. late 2010 and early 2011, the rul- Another renowned politician, ing government may sooner or later Toswell Kaua, passed away in Novem- give way to another coalition. At the ber 2010. Kaua had aligned himself time of this review, the ncra govern- with the Opposition. Toward the end ment was ruling with a minority after of the year, the prime minister sacked five cabinet ministers had moved to his minister of forestry, Bobo Dettke, support the Opposition. (A constitu- but later reinstated him as the minister tional crisis was subsequently averted of fisheries when Lusibaea was jailed. with the defection of six Opposi- Dettke continued with the govern- tion members to the government in ment as minister of fisheries until he early April.) Whatever happens, the and three other ministers resigned in question remains: How do Solomon early 2011 and joined the Opposition. Islands leaders ensure that services are The numbers game has dominated rendered to citizens? The answer may Solomon Islands politics so much that lie in their ability to concentrate on the ncra government has not even the business of governing and leading started implementing its grand plans instead of expending too much energy (opm 2010), but they may be able to on pure power politics. The country’s begin to do so once the 2011 budget is future in 2011 and beyond is in the passed in March 2011. hands of political leaders. One thing Despite the opportunities and is certain: there is a need for Solomon positive developments that emerged Islanders to revolutionize the way they throughout 2010, power politicking have been approaching development obscured the leadership’s prerogative since independence and to put people’s to serve and direct the nation and its needs and livelihoods at the core of people. Examples of such negative their deliberations. leadership traits can be seen in the gordon leua nanau recent movements by the members for north Guadalcanal, Martin Sopaghe, pol i t ical reviews melanesia 511
References OHGE\6HUJH9RKRUZDVVWUHQJWKHQHG in the reshuffle with the allocation of ISN, Island Sun News. Daily. Honiara. two additional ministerial portfolios. KWWS ZZZLVODQGVXQFRPVE In a move most likely aimed at opm, Office of the Prime Minister. 2010. protecting his position as Speaker, 7KH1DWLRQDO&RDOLWLRQIRU5HIRUPDQG Korman declared late November that Advancement (ncra) Government Policy the prime minister had lost his seat Statement. Honiara. because he had not obtained permis- Roughan, Paul. 2010. Elekson for Wadia? sion to be absent from Parliament. &RQWHVWDQG&RQIOLFWLQ6,2010 National 1DWDSHLKDGOHIW9DQXDWXLQ1RYHP- Elections. Macmillan Brown Lunchtime ber to attend an overseas meeting, Seminar, 299 July. which coincided with the last session sibc, Solomon Islands Broadcasting of Parliament. Natapei protested that &RUSRUDWLRQ'DLO\,QWHUQHWQHZVVHUYLFH he had let the Speaker know and, on +RQLDUDKWWS ZZZVLEFRQOLQHFRP his return, had obtained a Supreme SSN, Solomon Star News. Daily. Honiara. &RXUWUXOLQJWKDWWKH6SHDNHUªVGHFL- 2QOLQHDWKWWS VRORPRQVWDUQHZVFRP sion was unconstitutional (VDP, 7 Dec 2009). However, Natapei found that sto, Solomon Times Online. Daily Internet news service, Honiara. he was also facing a no-confidence KWWS ZZZVRORPRQWLPHVFRP motion tabled by Ham Lini, the new leader of the Opposition. The govern ment had hoped to remove the Speaker at the same time as Parlia- ment voted on the motion of no Vanuatu confidence, which was easily defeated, As 2010 got underway, the issue of the but Korman was able to manipulate status of the Speaker of Parliament, standing orders to avoid a vote on his 0D[LPH&DUORW.RUPDQKHOGRYHU own position. He remained as Speaker from last year, remained to be dealt until January 2010, when the govern- with. In late November 2009, the ment called an extraordinary session 9DQXD©DNX3DWL vp) prime minister, of Parliament with the intention of Edward Natapei, had removed two removing him. However, rather than parties from the governing coalition— being voted out, he resigned. In the the National United Party (nup) led election that followed, the govern- E\+DP/LQLDQGWKH9DQXDWX5HSXE- ment’s nominee for Speaker, Lugan- lican Party (vrp) led by Korman. ville mp George Wells (nup), defeated Natapei replaced them with the Alli- Korman, the Opposition’s nominee, in ance Group and its fifteen associated a secret ballot by thirty-two votes to members of Parliament, led by Sato nineteen (VDP, 30 Jan 2010). Kilman from the island of Malakula, Resolution of the issue of the leader of the People’s Progressive Speaker concluded the process of Party (ppp), who was made deputy restructuring the government coali- prime minister (VDP, 20 Nov 2009). tion that had begun toward the end of The position of the Union of Moder- November 2009, but, as the motion of ate Parties (ump) within the coalition, no confidence indicated, the political