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Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 251 Solomon Islands KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1978 Population: 561,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 0.5% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 157 Official language: English Time: GMT plus 11 hrs Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) Geography Area: 28,370 sq km Coastline: 5,310 km Capital: Honiara Solomon Islands, an archipelago in the south-west Pacific, consists of a double chain of rocky islands and some small coral islands. The major islands are Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Santa Isabel, New Georgia, Malaita and Makira (or San Cristobal). Vanuatu is the nearest neighbour to the south-east, where the archipelago tapers off into a series of smaller islands. Its nearest neighbour to the west is Papua New Guinea. The country comprises the capital territory of Honiara and nine provinces, namely Central (provincial capital Tulagi), Choiseul (Taro Island), Guadalcanal (Honiara), Isabel (Buala), Makira and Ulawa (Kirakira), Malaita (Auki), Rennell and Bellona (Tigoa), Temotu (Lata), and Western (Gizo). Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: National Parliament of Solomon Islands Independence: 7 July 1978 Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The Queen is represented by a Governor- General, who must be a citizen of the country and is elected by parliament. The National Parliament is unicameral, with 50 seats. Elections are held every four years on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The Prime Minister, who is chosen by parliament, must be an MP; the cabinet is chosen by the Prime Minister and holds executive power. Judicial system Supreme court: High Court of Solomon Islands Ministry: Justice and Legal Affairs The High Court is presided over by the chief justice and the Court of Appeal by a president. This is the final court of appeal and its members include senior judges from other Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, together with the chief justice and High Court judges. The High Court tries the most serious civil and criminal cases, the magistrates courts having jurisdiction only in less serious cases. Community elders sit in local courts, which have jurisdiction in customary law and local by-laws. There is also the Customary Land Appeal Court. Government and politics Last elections: 19 November 2014 Next elections: 2018 Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui (2009–) Head of government: Prime Minister Manasseh Damukana Sogavare Ruling party: Democratic Coalition for Change Women MPs: 2% Solomon Islands’ politics has been characterised by fluid coalitions of parties and independents. After conclusion of the peace agreement of February 2001, armed militia continued to be at large and many weapons remained in the hands of former militia members. A general election was nevertheless held in December 2001. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were heavily defeated, retaining only three seats, and only 19 members of the previous parliament held their seats. The People’s Alliance Party, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, won 20 seats and the Solomon Islands Alliance for Change (SIAC) 12. Kemakeza formed a coalition with the Association of Independent Members (AIM), led by Snyder Rini (Finance Minister in the PPP government), and Kemakeza was elected Prime Minister by parliament.


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