Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands An archipelago of islands in the Pacific. By 1914 Germany controlled some of the islands in the north-west. These passed to the League of Nations Mandate of Australia in 1920 and now form part of Papua New Guinea. The remaining islands were made a British protectorate in 1893. Occupied by Japan in 1942, they were the scene of very fierce fighting in World War II, particularly on Guadalcanal. From 1952 onwards, Britain steadily introduced a parliamentary system in the islands which had come under its authority, establishing a unicameral legislature under a Governor-General in 1960. These islands gained independence on 7 July 1978. In 1998 bitter tensions erupted on the main island of Guadalcanal, between the Isatabu majority and the Malaitan minority from the neighbouring island. The Isatabu Freedom Movement launched violent attacks against Malaitans, whereupon a Malaitan Eagle Force responded by instigating a coup in 2000. Following an Australian-brokered peace deal, new elections were held in 2001, which led to the appoinment of Sir Allan Kemakeza as Prime Minister.