By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister, Derek Sikua, says that long-serving politicians have nothing new to offer the country and it is time to make way for the young politicians to take over the running of the country.

Sikua says that he hopes the upcoming elections will bring “a new style of politics that will help shape the Solomons’ future.”

In a report to Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat Programme, he believes that a younger generation of politicians is the answer to the long battle for democracy and peace within the country.

He stated: “Being in politics for the last four years, what I have learnt is that it’s time for change…It’s time for young people and I will be encouraging young people to come in and be in politics here.”

Sikua believes that the politicians who have served the country for a long time now have nothing new to offer the country. In fact, according to Sikua, long-standing politicians have only added to the corruption and furthered the struggle for democracy.

“Stamping out corruption is shaping up to be one of the most important election issues. Recent foreign aid has allegedly disappeared, and there are concerns that a lot of aid has been used by politicians to buy votes, rather than to improve services to the provinces.”

Sikua would like to see new guidelines put in place to ensure better accountability. He emphasizes that there needs to be more “transparency” in what is happening with foreign aid.

Sikua hopes for a better future for the Solomon Islands. Since he took office as Prime Minister, Sikua has been determined to bring change to the Solomon Islands. He stated: “I want to see a new Solomon Islands that is united, strong and God-fearing – a Solomon Islands that is secure and prosperous…[this] can only be realized though good leadership…political leadership that is honest, visionary, inclusive and consultative.”

For more information, please see:
Islands Business – Solomon Islands’ call to young politicians – 30 March 2010

Australia Network News – Solomon Islands’ call to young politicians – 29 March 2010

Islands Business – Solomon Islands: Sikua’s Vision