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Solomon Islands PM quits
26/04/2006 08:30 - (SA)
Bruce Edwards
Honiara - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Snyder Rini resigned amid public jubilation on Wednesday, a week after his election sparked two days of rioting in the impoverished South Pacific archipelago.
Cheering and waving crowds gathered in the capital Honiara just minutes after Rini made his announcement in parliament when it became clear he would lose a motion of no confidence amid the defection of five government members.
A week earlier, the city had been wracked by burning and looting of Chinese businesses in reaction to Rini's election by members of parliament. Protesters and opposition MPs accused Rini of corrupt links to prominent local business leaders and of accepting cash from Taiwan.
Rini's fate became clear when members of parliament gathered ahead of the planned no-confidence vote, with at least 28 out of 50 MPs lining up on the opposition side of the debating chamber.
"I have no alternative but to tender my resignation as prime minister of the Solomon Islands," Rini told MPs after a short adjournment.
New leadership needed
Rini later left the building surrounded by 12 heavily armed police and was driven away without making any comment to the waiting media.
He will remain caretaker prime minister until MPs hold a fresh election, with government officials saying it could come as soon as Monday next week.
Rini was associated with the old guard of politics in the Solomon Islands and with the failed governments of the past, which led to the Australian-led armed intervention in 2003 to end five years of civil strife.
The four government ministers and backbencher who switched to the opposition ranks were led by Social Credit Party leader and former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, according to the government information unit.
One of the MPs to change sides, Peter Shanel, said the parliament had to listen to the people.
"We can't govern in fear, we needed a new leadership," Shanel said.
Government minister Milner Tozaka did not change sides but said the resignation was for the good of the country. "For the sake of the country and stability, we have no time to play politics," he said.
There was jubilation in the streets of Honiara, a dusty city of 50 000, after the decision. A man in his late forties, who only gave his name as Luke said the resignation should prevent any further violence.
"I'm very happy, this is very good. We needed a new PM, one that the people trust - it was no good before," Luke said.
"I think things will settle down now and we can go on with our lives."
The violence last week - which has already led to the arrest and detention of two prominent opposition MPs for their alleged roles in the rampage - was the worst since the Australian-led intervention in the country of about 500 000 people.
- AFP
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