Smoke Emanates From Honiara as Ongoing Protests Prompt Lockdown

A large cloud of smoke was spotted in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara, on November 25, as protests entered a second day amid calls for the prime minister to step down.

This footage filmed by Georgina Kekea, shows a large smoke plume wafting from the city in the distance. Kekea can be heard in the video saying “protesters are still going, and now they’ve burned down a shop in Chinatown”.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced a 36-hour lockdown in Honiara from 7 pm November 24 until 7 am November 26 in response to the protests. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force urged residents to stay home while the government order was in force.

Protests began on Wednesday when crowds gathered outside the nation’s parliament calling for Sogavare’s resignation. Buildings near the parliament were set on fire amid the demonstrations. Credit: Georgina Kekea via Storyful