Pacific Magazine > 2007 Pacific Almanac
Solomon Islands
The Basics
Population: 487,237 (SPC 2006)
Capital: Honiara
Land Area: 27,540 sq. km.
Political Status and Form of Government: Independent member of British Commonwealth. Democratically elected government, multi-party system.
Languages: Solomon Islands Pidgin, English
Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Number of Islands: Seven major islands, about 30 smaller ones, many islets
The Numbers
Gross Domestic Product: US$354.9 million (2007 est.)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: US$728 (2007 est.)
Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 6.3% (2007 est.)
National Budget: US$134 million (SI$970 million)
Aid per capita: US$651 (2006 est.)
Life Expectancy: Male: 72.91 years Female:
Ethnicity: Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.3%
Nationality: Solomon Islander
Age Distribution:0-14 years: 40%, 15-64 years: 55%, 65+: 5% (2007 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 2.4% (2007 est.)
People in Power
Head of Government: Prime Minister Derek Sikua
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II represented by Sir Nathaniel Waena.
Cabinet Members: Fred Fono, deputy prime minister, rural development and indigenous affairs;
Sir Allan Kemakeza, forestry;
Francis Billy Hilly, commerce, trade and employment;
Snyder Rini, finance and treasury;
William Haomae, Foreign affairs;
Toswel Kaua, Justice and legal affairs;
Steve Abana, Development planning and aid coordination;
Stanley Sofu, Infrastructure development;
Nollen Leni, Fisheries and marine resources;
Sam Iduri, National reconciliation and peace;
Peter Tom, Women, youth and children affairs;
Gordon Darcy Lilo, Environment, conservation and meteorology;
Milner Tozaka, Public service;
Edward Huni'ehu, Mines and energy;
David Dei Pacha, Provincial government;
Samuel Manetoali, Police and national security ;
Job Duddley Tausinga, Education and human resources development;
Johnson Koli, Health and medical services;
Seth Gukuna, Culture and tourism;
Selwyn Riumana, Agriculture and livestock;
Martin Magga, Lands, housing and survey;
Varian Longmei, Communication and aviation;
James Tora, Home affairs;
Stanley Festus Sofu, Infrastructure and Development.
Representative Body: Unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
Regional Organizations
ACP, ADB, C, ESCAP, FAO, FFA, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, PIF, SOPAC, Sparteca, SPC, SPREP, SPTO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, USP, WCPFC, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Media & Internet Service Providers
Radio: AM 1, FM 3. 1 Christian FM station, 9 community FM stations, 1 shortwave service.
TV: one news service, BBC and Australian Network relays by Solomon Telekom
Newspapers: Solomon Star (6 days week), Island Sun (3 days week), National Express (2 days week).
ISP: 1. Telecommunications: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Recent News
There was a change of government in December after nine government MPs deserted the Grand Coalition for Change Government led by Manasseh Sogavare. All cited Sogavare’s dictatorial leadership style and the unilateral decisions Sogavare made on controversial issues such as the appointment of Attorney General Julian Moti, the review of the Facilitation of International Assistance Act, which gave RAMSI the platform to implement Operation Helpem Friend, the stand-off between Sogavare’s government and Australia’s former Liberal government, the boycotting of October’s Pacific Leaders Forum in Tonga, the planned re-arming of Solomon Islands Police Force—as reasons for leaving the government.
As a result of their defection and a no confidence vote, Derek Sikua was elected Prime Minister.
One of his first acts was to sack AG Moti and have him deported to Australia where he is now facing child sex charges. Diplomatic and political relations with Australia had deteriorated over the appointment of Moti, and the change of government in both Australia and Solomon Islands is likely to abate the tensions. The stand-off impacted the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, with Sogavare on several occasions publicly threatening to expel RAMSI. Government had tabled a bill to amend provisions within the international facilitation act of 2003 under which RAMSI was invited into Solomon Islands, particularly clauses which currently give immunity to RAMSI personnel from prosecution under Solomon Islands laws.
Airlines, Shippers Serving Countrys
Air: Air Niugini, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Solomon Islands Airlines, Our Airline, OZZY Jet
Shippers: Pacific Forum Line, Sofrana Unilines, local inter-island services.
Main Government Contact
Prime Minister’s Office
P.O. Box G1, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Ph: (677) 22202/21863/28617
Fax: (677) 25470
Sources and Solomon Islands on the Web
Solomon Islands National Statistics Office
http://www.spc.int/prism/country/sb/stats/
Central Bank of Solomon Islands
http://www.cbsi.com.sb/
People First Network
http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb/
The World Factbook
http://www.cia.gov/
Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Cabinet
www.pm.gov.sb
Map courtesy UH Press, The Pacific Islands; an Encyclopedia
Click map for larger image
