Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare faces calls to resign over China diplomatic ties
- The protest began peacefully, but schools and businesses were shut by the afternoon as crowds tried to enter parliament demanding PM Manasseh Sogavare step down
- Protesters were angry about lack of promised development and the Solomons government’s 2019 decision to cut ties with Taiwan and establish a formal relationship with China
The Solomon Islands capital Honiara was placed under curfew on Wednesday after protesters attempted to storm the Pacific island nation’s parliament, police said.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters, who had set alight buildings, partly burning down a police station and a hut near the parliament building, a police spokesman said.
He was unable to confirm witness accounts that the protest was a failed attempt to topple Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
“A crowd formed in front of the parliament, I don’t know the exact numbers but it was a huge crowd,” he said.
“They intended to make the prime minister resign, that’s the public speculation, but we’re still investigating the motives,” he said. “The important thing is police now have control of the situation and no one is out on the streets.”