The Solomon Islands government has warned that instigators are planning what it calls “another evil plan” to decimate the whole of Honiara.
Last week’s unrest, which stemmed from a protest calling for the removal of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, left major destruction in the capital.
A government statement said the destruction of local businesses was done by heartless people with selfish agendas.
It warns that instigators are planning a next phase of unrest, including the declaration of Malaita province as an independent state.
Malaita’s provincial premier Daniel Suidani, whose administration has fallen out with the national government, denies claims that he instigated the unrest.
Malaitans played a central role in last week’s protest before opportunists and looters co-opted the mobilisation into major unrest.
The government statement said it was aware of reports that ring leaders behind the unrest were openly stating on Facebook that “in order to build a new house, the old house must be first destroyed”.
“Such statements are not helping the volatile situation we are currently experiencing in Honiara,” the statement said.
“To the peace loving and right minded Malaitans, we should ask ourselves whether we are comfortable with the violent advocators to lead our people to an independent state.”
However the national government said it was encouraged by” the wisdom of the majority of our citizens not to employ violence, looting or threatening tactics to impose one’s evil plan of decimating Honiara city, the capital of Solomon Islands.”
Samoa police on standby to send peacekeeping forces to Solomon Islands
Samoa Police are on standby to send personnel to assist peacekeeping forces in the Solomon Islands after days of rioting in Honiara.
TV1Samoa reports Acting Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo said so far there has not been any request for help but they are ready to help.
Since the rioting and looting started last week, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea have sent troops to help keep the peace there.
Auapa’au said under the RAMSI project, more than 300 Samoan Police had been deployed to help in Honiara and other areas of the Solomons.
