RSIPF monitors situation in Auki following protest march

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Auki, Malaita Province are closely monitoring the situation in the township after a peaceful protest march took place today. (7 September 2020)
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo says, “A protest was carried out by the employees of the Malaita Provincial Government, members of the public and members of the Malaita for Democracy (M4D).”

PPC Riolo says, “The protest march was staged on the main road from Aligegeo to Auki Township with protesters carrying banners calling for a change in the national Government’s decision to recall the Malaita Provincial Secretary (PS) to the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening in Honiara.”

“Police at Auki monitored the peaceful demonstration through high visibility patrols along the main road to ensure no illegal activities were carried out by some opportunists. The peaceful march ended at the Malaita Provincial headquarters this morning.”

PPC Riolo explains, “The peaceful demonstration came about when information reached the general public that the PS Malaita Province was being recalled by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government.”

“Officers in Auki continue to be on high alert and are monitoring the situation for the next 48 hours. I call on my good people from Malaita to do everything within the bounds of Solomon Islands laws. This is to avoid any arrests. There are ways of resolving disagreements within the laws of this country,” says PPC Riolo.