The modern nation of the Solomon Islands is an amalgamation of two archipelagos, instigated by the British in the last years of the 19th century, and marking the high point of imperial rivalry in the Pacific between the major European powers. The northern group had originally been claimed by the Spanish in the 16th century, was then annexed by the Germans, and finally ceded to the British in exchange for part of the Samoan island group. The British already controlled the southern Solomon group, and administered the pair together as the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Apart from a brief period of Japanese occupation during World War II, the Solomon Islands remained under British rule until the 1970s. Self-government was granted in 1976 and full independence was achieved two years later.
The main political debate since then has been over-decentralisation. Advocates support the division of the archipelago into separate administrative regions, while opponents maintain that the process would give an excessive advantage in the future to those islands which are most commercially developed - generally those closer to Papua New Guinea and Australia. Many of the roots of the debate lie in the issue of land ownership and the long-running disputes between 'indigenous' islanders and 'immigrants' (the distinction is often far from clear). These disputes began to boil over during the 1990s in a process triggered by the election of the government of Solomon Mamalomi in February 1989.
The first Mamalomi government was notable for an extraordinary decision (never fully explained) that the Government would no longer accept foreign aid: the country was deprived of one fifth of its GDP at a stroke. Although the decision has since been reversed, it triggered a serious economic decline which has continued more or less unabated ever since. Pressing questions over intercommunal and land disputes and devolution were ignored. And, desperate for cash, the government authorised indiscriminate logging of valuable timber resources throughout the islands. 1997 brought a new government elected along with an expanded legislature and led by Bartholomew Ulufa'alu. The new Government took a more realistic approach to its priorities: an economic reform programme opened the door once again to foreign aid; while a moratorium was imposed on new timber logging licences.
Unfortunately, the historic failure to address the islanders' assorted grievances caught up with the Government as fighting broke out between the self-styled Guadalcanal Liberation Army (named after their base on the Solomons' main island) and those they regarded as interlopers. The rebels were put down on this occasion but then, in June 2000, a militia based on the Solomons' second island, Malaita, launched a coup against the Ulufa'alu government. The so-called Malaita Eagle Force managed to force Ulufa'alu's resignation and installed a new government under the premiership of Manasseh Sogavare.
Despite their success, the Eagles were challenged on Malaita island by a rival militia, known as the Isatabu. Once again, land rights, the burning issue which had been consistently neglected by governments of all complexions, lay at the root of the Eagles-Isatabu dispute. Over the following 18 months, both Australia and New Zealand were heavily involved in attempts to broker a settlement and a return to normal civilian government. In December 2001, they appeared to have achieved their objective when new elections were held. These were won by the social democratic People's Action Party under the leadership of Allan Kamakeza. But, despite the backing of the two major South Pacific powers, the Kamakeza government's position is fragile. The militias still control large areas of the archipelago while the government is hamstrung by chronic economic problems and a massive and unserviceable foreign debt. The example of the Solomon Islands lies behind the decision of the Australian government in late 2003 to adopt a more pro-active approach to intervening in the affairs of its Pacific neighbours who are mostly, like the Solomon Islands, composed of small scattered islands riven by ethnic rivalries and economic uncertainty.
More than 95% of the population are Christian. The rest is made up of Roman Catholics, South Sea Evangelists and Seventh-day Adventists.
Social conventions:A casual atmosphere prevails and European customs exist alongside local traditions. Informal wear is widely suitable although women often wear long dresses for evening functions. Men need never wear ties. In general, women should dress modestly and appropriately, noting that certain public areas may be exclusively reserved for men. It is customary to cover thighs. Visitors are discouraged from wearing beachwear and shorts around towns and villages. Swearing is a crime and can lead to huge compensation claims and even jail.
English is the official language. Pidgin English and over 80 different local dialects are also spoken.
