CALLS FOR PRIME MINISTER TO STEP DOWN

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA


Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is being called on to step down in order to bring back peace into Honiara.


Today along the streets of Honiara’s CBD, security personnel manning the shops are also reiterating the call of the protesters for the Prime Minister to step down.


“We all want peace and right now we cannot have it as the government has not listened to the people at all. All they want is for the Prime Minister to step down or the government leaders to listen to their calls”.




But in a nationwide address this evening, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says he will not step down through this process.

"I am elected as the Prime Minister of our beloved  country by 35 Members of Parliament who represent their people.  

The call for me to step down is premised on the hunger for power  by certain politicians who do not have any respect for the  principles of democracy and due process. In 2006 a precedent was  set when the Prime Minister back then was asked to resign after a  riot in Honiara. That event is the precedent for our current  situation. If I am to step down, what message would that send to  our people, children and generations to come", Sogavare questioned.


Following yesterday’s protests, today it is worse with more looting and burning of shops despite a lock down order being issued by the Prime Minister last night.

In Honiara’s CBD, security personnel manning the shops and buildings say they will not know what to do if things get worse.


“We will be outnumbered. All we want is peace. The Prime Minister should just step down if he has a heart for the country”, they say.


Yesterday a former Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena also made the same call via the National Radio SIBC for the Prime Minister to step down.


“If this is what the people want then the Prime Minister should just step down”, Sir Waena says.


Opposition Leader Mathew Wale also made the call for the Prime Minister to step down. 


“I call on the Prime Minister to do the right thing and resign”, Mr. Wale said.


But Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said "some of us are of the opinion that if I step down the protests and  riots will stop. This is the easiest decision to make".

He said the effect of his decision weighs heavy in his heart.

"Are we saying to our young children and youths that whenever we are not happy with those in authority we take the  laws into our own hands? If we do this, it is a very dangerous  message to our people and future generations. We are effectively  saying to our children, take the law into your hands if whenever  you are not happy. This must never be the message we send nor  the conviction we instill in our citizens if we are to progress as a  peaceful democracy".

He said that if he is removed as Prime Minister, it will be on the floor of  Parliament.

"I have faith and respect in our democratic process, and  I will defend it with my life. I say this with deepest conviction. Our  people need to and must understand that our actions in defending  democracy is not merely a lip service. It is conviction in the  principles and values that underpins our democracy and all  democracies around the world".


As usual with such activities, the most vulnerable are women and children.


At the Honiara Central Market, women vendors from North East Guadalcanal are stranded in the market area with no warm food and no assistance.


“We were told to just stay put in here. We just ate the fruits that we brought. No warm food. We just want to go home”, an elder mother and grandmother says.


“We missed our transport yesterday following the riots and lock down order”, she said.


The vendors are from Tathiboko to Longu. 


Last night, Honiara Senior High School, one of the longest serving schools in Honiara was burnt to ashes.


A tutor from the school told SIBC’s ‘Dis Taem Nao’ program that the situation has really affected a lot of students.


“For me as a teacher here, it is a hard time for the teachers and staff. This is a sad time which we regretted what had happened last night”, a Mr. Billy told Simon Tavake of SIBC.


From Malaita, Premier Daniel Suidani says the protests and riots happen when the government does not listen to the people.


“Something to do with national leadership because they have not dealt with the issues. They should not run away from problems. They must face and resolve those issues”, Suidani said.


“In my view, the government must stand and talk to the people. They must not run away from them”, Suidani said.


The Australian Government is sending Defence Force Personnel and Federal Police to the Solomon Islands to help resolve the issue in Solomon Islands.


ENDS///

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