by Georgina Maka’a

The Government says a police complaint has been lodged over allegations by Moffat Konofilia that Prime Minister Matthew Wale and his Special Secretary, Celsus Talifilu, were involved in instigating, planning and financing the November 2021 Honiara riots.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the Government was taking the allegations seriously but would not comment further because the matter was now subject to a police process.

Konofilia made the allegations in a Facebook video posted last night, accusing Wale of orchestrating the riots and identifying Talifilu and the former Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government as being behind the unrest.

“The Government takes these allegations seriously,” the statement said.

It added that further public comment could prejudice the ongoing police process.

The Government said allegations of wrongdoing should be raised through the appropriate authorities rather than aired on social media. It also reserved the right to pursue legal action for defamation where warranted.

“The Government will allow the appropriate authorities to deal with the matters in accordance with the law and will not be drawn into further public commentary while the process is ongoing,” the statement said.

Konofilia was among those who took part in the November 2021 protest, which was largely driven by Malaitans demanding the resignation of then Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Protesters accused Sogavare of, among other things, switching the country’s diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019 without consulting the people.

Sogavare described the unrest as an attempted coup and blamed unnamed foreign interests and alleged Taiwanese agents for encouraging the protests.

The protest turned violent after police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse demonstrators. Buildings in Honiara were subsequently set alight and businesses looted.

Konofilia was initially charged with sedition and unlawful assembly. The Magistrates Court acquitted him of sedition but found him guilty of unlawful assembly.

He claimed he had already lodged a complaint with police against Wale and Talifilu.

The allegations emerged on the eve of Konofilia’s scheduled sentencing today. However, the hearing was postponed because the presiding magistrate was unwell.

The Government’s statement did not provide details of the reported police complaint or specify which allegations were being investigated. Police have yet to publicly outline the scope of the reported investigation.

The allegations against Wale and Talifilu have not been independently substantiated.