Solomons PM forced out after eight days

Honiara locals celebrate yesterday after newly elected Prime Minister Snyder Rini stands down. Picture / Greg Bowker

HONIARA - "We need change, we need change," they yelled, waving palm branches and shouting with joy, as news filtered through to a jubilant crowd that their Prime Minister had stood down.

The same Solomon Islanders who eight days ago went on a violent rampage to protest against Snyder Rini's election, yesterday took to the streets in celebration after the Opposition pulled together the numbers to force his resignation.

Resident Luke Hoasi told the Herald people expected a change of government.

"We don't want any of the old ministers in the new government, we want a completely new government."

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 armed intervention in 2003 by New Zealand and Australia to end five years of civil strife.

The shouts of joy could be heard from the grounds of Parliament, perched on a hill above Honiara, just moments after Rini announced his resignation.

Five MPs aligned with the Government unexpectedly defaulted to the Opposition ranks yesterday morning, leaving the Opposition holding 30 seats in the 50-seat Parliament.

"This is what the people want," said local man Andrew Nalue.

The streets of Honiara, scarred with the smouldering remains of buildings destroyed in last week's violence, were packed with thousands of ecstatic people.

Hundreds of cars and trucks with people hanging from them drove through the main streets of the dusty town as bystanders cheered and waved palm branches.

"It's time for this nation to change," one man yelled out the window of his 4WD.

Forestry worker Solomon Porau said people were happy to see the ousting of Mr Rini's Government, barely in power for a week, because they believed it was corrupt.

"We need a new government because the Solomons is a peaceful country. We need peace - that's what we long for."

Another man in the crowd said that Mr Rini should have resigned earlier.

"This is the real democratic process, where people's real views are heard," he said motioning to the crowd around him.

A week earlier, the city had been racked by burning and looting of Chinese businesses in reaction to Mr Rini's election.

Protesters and opposition MPs had accused Mr Rini of having corrupt links to prominent local business leaders and of accepting cash from Taiwan - a claim that Taipei has denied.

The main Opposition party is vowing to cut ties with Taiwan if it comes to power.

Many schools and businesses had closed in anticipation of the Opposition's motion of no confidence in the Government and had urged children to stay in the safety of their homes.

The first sign yesterday that political change was possible came when Opposition MP Gordon Darcy Lilo said he believed they now had the numbers.

When Parliament commenced, the Opposition said Mr Rini no longer commanded a majority. A 15-minute break was called for Mr Rini to consider his position.

When he returned he offered his resignation, saying it would allow the country to move forward.