Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s property targeted by rioters, one building damaged by fire and looters

A building belonging to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister has been set on fire by protesters, with looters breaking in and causing damage. 

Images from social media show the fire-damaged building in Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s compound, with items strewn everywhere.

The building set alight is a second home that had been previously rented out and is not the Prime Minister’s main residence, which has been declared safe but is under heavy police watch.

Honiara-based freelance journalist Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong said though the city was visibly quieter today, crowds had turned their attention to Mr Sogavare’s residence.

“When I went to the PM’s house today, people were saying it didn’t matter if the PM was there or not. They just wanted to do something to his house,” she said.

Papua New Guinea has deployed 20 police officers and 15 corrections officers to the troubled nation by request from the Solomon Islands’ government.

They were expected to arrive Friday afternoon, according to PNG Prime Minister James Marape’s office.

PNG Police Commissioner David Manning will also be accompanying the security personnel to assess the situation on the ground and hold a press conference later this evening. 

On Thursday, a contingent of 23 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrived in Honiara to bolster the Solomons’ police force, with more to follow in the coming days.

Up to 50 AFP officers and 40 ADF personnel will arrive in Solomon Islands later today.

It’s the third day of protests in the capital Honiara, with people continuing to call for Mr Sogavare’s resignation.

The protests in the country erupted earlier this week — the main, but not sole, source of the conflict is the government’s decision to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.

The Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Public Service has advised all public servants — with the exception of essential services — to stay home due to the current unrest in the capital.

It also encouraged public servants to ensure they had enough food supplies at home due to the uncertainty of the present situation.