Australia’s early intervention can help Solomon Islands but the roots of the conflict run deep | Mihai Sora

Honiara has awoken to a calmer scene but tension lingers as quelling the violent protests has not resolved their underlying causes

Unresolved tensions and geopolitical pressures are a volatile mix in Solomon Islands.

What began as a peaceful protest calling for the resignation of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare on Wednesday quickly descended into unrest as the crowd of about 1,000 people, many of whom travelled from the neighbouring Malaita province, grew agitated and set fire to a leaf hut in the capital Honiara's parliamentary complex.