2 Apr 2009

Solomons 2006 riot probe inconclusive

2:53 pm on 2 April 2009

A Commission of Inquiry report in Solomon Islands has found there is an absence of facts to identify who spearheaded the 2006 riots in Honiara.

The report is unclear on who was to blame.

Initially it cites that its best view is that the unrest was organised and fermented by criminals.

But later it states that the most likely explanation is that there was a conspiracy between leading figures in politics, business and civil societies to force a regime change.

Our correspondent Dorothy Wickham says the scope of the commission was too broad to pinpoint the culprits.

"It leaves the question about whether this commission was successful or not. I feel personally that it leaves a lot of questions, that feeling you know that it must have been something there that sparked it or some talk. But the actual riots itself that went through town, yes it was a criminal element, you know crowd mentality when people are gathered in groups they tend to go a little bit crazy when there's no good leadership, but there's also that also that whole aspect of political involvement that needs to be looked at properly."

Dorothy Wickham