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Sikua elected PM in Solomons

Derek Sikua, left, is declared the winner of the vote for prime minister by Solomon Islands Governor-General Nathaniel Waena in Honiara yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Former education minister Derek Sikua was elected prime minister of the Solomon Islands yesterday, and immediately moved to repair ties with regional powers that became strained under his ousted predecessor

Sikua pledged yesterday to soothe ties with Canberra by sending controversial Attorney-General Julian Moti back to Australia to face child sex charges.

He had beem elected by legislators earlier in the day under tight security following last week's ousting of controversial leader Manasseh Sogavare.

Sikua, who was a leading critic of combative former leader Manasseh Sogavare, defeated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Patteson Oti in the vote, said Deli Oso, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's office.

The new leader, who led a defection by a dozen government lawmakers last month, won by 32 votes to 15 in the ballot among 47 lawmakers. One legislator in the 48-member house is dead and his seat remains unfilled.

Sogavare was ousted in a no-confidence vote last week, following the defection of nine ministers -- including Sikua -- who had become increasingly disillusioned over the prime minister's handling of the relationship with Australia and other regional neighbors.

Sogavare was embroiled in a bitter stand-off with Australia after the appointment last year of his friend Julian Moti, who Canberra wants to extradite over child sex charges dating back to 1997.

Sikua said his Cabinet would make a formal decision on how Moti would be sent back to Australia when it meets this weekend.

"Moti is an Australian citizen, he will be sent back to Australia," he told a press conference. "The new immigration minister needs to be in place to sign the instruments."

A tight security cordon surrounded the parliament during the vote, with a police helicopter circling overhead and troops guarding the road up to the building on a hill overlooking the capital.

Police guarded the parliament and kept the public out of the immediate area, but there was no sign of trouble during the day.

Security forces belonging to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and local police were accused of negligence in failing to prevent rioting after a similar election in April last year.

The unpopular Snyder Rini was elected as prime minister but resigned less than a week later to be replaced by Sogavare, who regularly accused Australia of bullying during his 19-month term. Sogavare had been trying to reduce Australia's dominant role in RAMSI.

But Sikua said he wanted to visit Canberra early in the new year and would improve relations with RAMSI.

Sikua's election was welcomed by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith.

"Australia is committed to assisting the Solomon Islands, through RAMSI and our bilateral aid program, to build a prosperous and sustainable future," Smith said.
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