By Sarah C. LaBelle
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania
For background information on the political crisis in the Solomon Islands, please see the Impunity Watch articles here, here, and here.
For more information on the Moti affair, a key element of the opposition’s argument against Sogavare’s government, please see the Impunity Watchreports on Moti’s appointment as attorney general for the Solomons, PNG government involvement in Moti’s escape, the Vanuatu case status, Australia’s extradition attempt and the missing PNG inquiry report, PNG court refusal to suppress the inquiry report, and Moti’s fear of assassination attempts. The inquiry report itself was released to Dade on 28 September, and he found the inquiry to be illegal at the end of October. The issue is on appeal in the PNG court system, barring public debate at this time.
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Manasseh Sogavare was removed from office this afternoon, making him the first prime minister since Solomon Islands independence in 1978 to be removed on a no confidence motion. Debates between the sides grew more and more heated in the preceeding weeks, culminating in lawsuits. The final vote was 25 for the motion and 22 against, with one member abstaining.
The government made an eleventh-hour appeal to Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena on Sunday to change the parliament meeting date to December 24th, but that request was rejected. The government maintained its argument in court proceedings that Waena did not have the power to convene parliament, but the outcome of the court proceedings is now unlikely to matter.
The no confidence motion was the first order of business when parliament convened today at 10am, with police and RAMSI (the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) increasing security in key areas in downtown Honiara. RAMSI deployment to the Honiara Hotel, where some members of the opposition are based, led to accusations of taking sides. Deputy commissioner Peter Marshall assured the Solomon Star that, “We want to be fair and balanced and utterly reject any suggestion that RAMSI or PPF is involved in partisan security operations.” Parliament was declared out-of-bounds to the public today, except for members of the media and local and foreign dignitaries.
Much of the opposition’s arguments against the government centered around Julian Moti, the controversial attorney general of the Solomon Islands, who is wanted in his native Australia on child sex tourism charges. Although the opposition has said that they will turn Moti over to Australian authorities after ousting Sogavare’s government, there are now concerns that Moti will flee to Fiji. Fiji’s immigration director, Vilieme Naupoto, has confirmed that Fiji will accept Moti should he choose to travel there, since he is not on their watch list.
The opposition’s media spokesman, George Atkin, described the scene after the successful no confidence vote as friendly and cordial, with “members hug[ging] each other despite their political affiliations” and said that Sogavare “bowed out with humility in his speech.” Sogavare said that he does not take the vote personally and that he holds no grudges against his former ministers who defected to the opposition, and shook hands with them after the vote.
Atkin also confirmed that the opposition has not yet selected a prime minister, and leader Fred Fono has indicated publicly that he is not interested in the position. The opposition will caucus tomorrow, and the four likely candidates are considered to be Fono and former Sogavare ministers Gordon Lilo, Dr. Derrick Sikua, and Toswell Kaua.
Observers believe that there will be a major shift in Solomon Islands international relations and its relations with RAMSI once the new government takes power.
For more information, please see:
Solomon Star – Waena rejects gov’t December 24 date – 12 December 2007
Solomon Star – Security beef up for parliament meeting – 12 December 2007
Solomon Times – Solomon Islands Prepares for Political Showdown – 12 December 2007
Solomon Times – Solomon Islands PM Defeated in No-Confidence Motion – 13 December 2007
Islands Business – Debate continues on no confidence motion against Sogavare – 13 December 2007
Islands Business – Sogavare ousted, opposition celebrate win – 13 December 2007
The Australian – Moti plan to flee if Sogavare ousted – 13 December 2007
The Australian – Sogavare out, Moti may face trial here – 13 December 2007
Radio New Zealand International – Solomons leader dumped in vote of no confidence – 13 December 2007
Sydney Morning Herald – Solomon Islands Prime Minister ousted – 14 December 2007
New Zealand Herald – Solomons PM voted out of power – 14 December 2007
