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S o l omo n I s l a n d s Governance institutions Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 267 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. In the April 2006 election – with Commonwealth observers present – 16 members of the government lost their seats. Kemakeza retained his seat but his People’s Alliance Party was much reduced while Snyder Rini’s AIM did well, with 13 newly elected members. Rini was subsequently elected Prime Minister by the new parliament. Rioting then broke out and a large portion of Chinatown in Honiara was destroyed by fire. In the same month Rini stood down when he no longer had the support of the majority of members of parliament and early in May 2006 parliament elected Manasseh Sogavare (leader of the Social Credit Party) Prime Minister. Sogavare was ousted in December 2007 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence, which was precipitated by the defection in November of nine government ministers. The leader of the recently established Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement, and education minister in the Sogavare administration, Derek Sikua, became Prime Minister. In the fourth round of voting, in June 2009, parliament elected Sir Frank Kabui to succeed Sir Nathaniel Waena as Governor-General with effect from July. In the election on 4 August 2010 the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, led by Steven Abana, secured 14 of the 50 seats in the National Parliament; the numerous other parties won 19 seats; and independents, the rest. The Commonwealth observer group present at the election reported that the people had freely exercised their democratic right. In the parliamentary vote that followed the general election, Danny Philip, leader of the Solomon Islands Reform and Democratic Party (a coalition of parties and independent members), was chosen as Prime Minister, polling 26 votes; his only rival, Steven Abana, won the support of 23 members. In November 2011, following defections from the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Philip resigned. In the parliamentary vote that followed former Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo was chosen to be Prime Minister with the support of 29 of the 49 members who voted. Local government Ministry: Provincial Government There are three spheres of government in Solomon Islands: central, provincial and local. Devolved government is provided for by the Local Government Act 1996; the Provincial Government Act 1997; and the Honiara City Act 1999, and it is enshrined in the constitution. The Minister for Provincial Government is responsible for provincial government and the Minister for Home Affairs for Honiara City Council, the only entity of local government that had been implemented by mid-2012. Provincial assembly and Honiara City Council elections are held every four years. Only Honiara City Council has revenue-raising powers, and levies property and business taxes, and licence fees and charges for certain services. National development plan The Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination launched the country’s National Development Strategy 2011–20 in September 2011. The strategy sets out a road map for achievement of the national vision of a ‘united and vibrant Solomon Islands’. It is the outcome of an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders, including civil society; provincial governments; private sector; and development partners. The overarching priority of the strategy is ‘to build better lives for all Solomon Islanders’. Further information Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: www.pmc.gov.sb Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org National Parliament of Solomon Islands: www.parliament.gov.sb Ministry of Finance and Treasury: www.mof.gov.sb Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration: www.commerce.gov.sb Central Bank of Solomon Islands: www.cbsi.com.sb


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