Ethnic pride replaces goodwill and inclusion in the Solomons

This is an issue of interest, but it is worth discussing it despite the sensitivity of the issue to the mainstream ethnic group in the Solomons. In year’s gone by since the country gained political independence from Britain in July 7, 1978, successive governments have been upholding a non-written understanding and obligation to the multi-ethnic and cultural groups of our country.

This goodwill is always based on providing "balanced of powers" in the administration of the country, through the equal distribution of power amongst the nine provinces in the appointments of senior public servants, political appointees and election of candidates for the three constitutional top jobs of the country: (1) The Prime Minister, (2) Governor General (GG) and the (3) Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). 

In any given tern of parliament in previous decades, when the Prime Minister is from one province, the GG will be from another province and so as the Commissioner of Police. Now in the current power control of the country, the PM is from Western Province, the Governor General (GG) is from Malaita and now the newly appointed Commissioner of Police is from Malaita (detail of his background will be provided if needed). Currently, all the Permanent Secretary Posts (PSs) and Political Appointees have a similar feature and little provinces have left out. This is due to the fact that current MPs and political groups in the ruling coalition are dictating the appointments of PSs and now the Commissioner of Police.

 The Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) and the local media have been accredited to forcing the PM to make a hasty decision, under duress from political groups, to appoint the new Police Commissioner. One wonders, after reading and observing the discussions and media coverage, why does critics of the PM didn’t highlight the certain departure from this long standing norm by our bigger provinces to counter balance the administrative power of our country?  Now the national security of the country is held by two ethnic Malaitans – the GG and Police Commissioner. They control the RSIPF and in any given situation, there is no guarantee of how and when the force could be used against another groups in the country, taking into consideration our recent history of ethnic conflict.  In previous years, this was the fact that forced many former Prime Ministers to give the GG and Police Commissioner’s posts to people of different provinces. It was an indirect attempt to contain future threats. 

This issue is sensitive but the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo (Western Province) and Leader of Opposition, Dr Derek Sikua (Guadalcanal Province), are equally responsible to provide answers to the public of Solomon Islands, about what happens here. This is interesting twist to our traditional norm because during the Sir Peter Kenilorea (Malaita Province) and late Solomon Mamaloni's (Makira Province) era until the last government, little provinces were invited and given top posts in the administration of the country (on merits).

There was always this goodwill and trust from bigger provinces to allow the participation of little provinces in meaningful ways in creating an inclusion working environment in the government and the governance of our people, regardless of their ethnic background. How things have changed and yet the gate keepers of democracy are so tentative, pick-and-choose topics, issues and events that are easy to take on.