The Election of a new Prime Minister is now set for Wednesday 24 April 2019. Political lobbying between the different groups is underway.
The RSIPF is a neutral organisation and does not support any side in politics. Our role is to ensure that there is peace and safety in our community during the election of a Prime Minister and formation of a government.
Your Police are currently mounting a very large security operation focusing on Honiara City and Guadalcanal Province. This has already started and will continue through all of this week.
There will be high visibility police patrols on our streets 24 hours a day, traffic checks day and night, and community awareness at markets, bus stops, churches and settlements all around Honiara. There are also sea patrols by our Maritime officers around Honiara.
Your Police are calling on all citizens to engage responsibly on anything to do with the election of the Prime Minister. Do not resort to any means that will create violence on our streets. This includes calling for protests or riots online using social media. Inciting violence is a crime whatever medium you use. Do not post online comments that encourages any crimes. Stay away from large crowds. And do not become involved in any unlawful protests.
A liquor ban will be imposed from Tuesday 23rd April to Thursday 25 April for Honiara and Guadalcanal. The Honiara Central Market will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. If you do not need to come into the city on the day of the election of the Prime Minister, then I encourage you to stay away and follow the process on radio or on social media.
I also want to appeal directly to all newly elected Members of Parliament and political party leaders to remember your responsibilities as leaders during this period of political negotiation. Engage in your consultations peacefully and lawfully. No-one wants to go back to the past where violence and intimidation was associated with the formation of government and the election of the Prime Minister. My message at this time remains the same – people may want political change but no-one wants political violence. Peace is more important than politics.
Lastly, I call on all citizens, including chiefs, elders, church leaders and all women, men and youth leaders to assist your Police in ensuring that our communities remain safe and peaceful.
Let us continue to show respect for one another and maintain peace like we did during the main election. This is part of Solomon Islands traditional culture. Do not allow any disagreements about the outcomes of the election of the Prime Minister to cause divisions amongst us.
Let’s move forward peacefully during the Election of the Prime Minister and the formation of a government. Let’s work together for a safer Hapi Isles.
Tagio Tumas.