Still tension in the Solomon Islands, the archipelago in the north-east of Australia where a revolt against the local government had broken out in recent days. The governor general of the archipelago has announced a night curfew for the capital Honiara after three days of protests and riots. David Vunagi has decreed “a daily curfew for Honiara from 7pm to 6am, starting November 26, and until it is lifted.”
On Friday (remember that in the Solomon Islands the clock is 10 hours ahead of Italy) the local police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse the demonstrators who were trying to reach the private residence of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, despite the curfew in effect. This was reported by AFP journalists on the spot. A small number of officers dispersed the crowd that had set fire to at least one building, driving them back to central Honiara, on their knees after three days of violent protests against the Sogavare government.
Prime Minister Sogavare: unrest resulting from foreign interference
Manasseh Sogavare himself said he saw foreign interference behind the anti-government protests, arson and looting that ravaged the capital Honiara in recent days. Solomon Islands, Malaita, when he broke off the country’s diplomatic relations with Taiwan by turning to Beijing. A plane carrying Australian police and diplomats arrived in Honiara Thursday evening, where it will help local police efforts to restore order after a second day of violent anti-government protests, Defense Minister Peter Dutton said.
Sogavare said he was faithful to his government’s decision to embrace Beijing. The violence was “unfortunately influenced and encouraged by other powers”, the external pressures were “very great”, he added. “I will not bow to anyone. We are intact, the government is intact and we will defend democracy ».