An academic expert on politics in Melanesia says at the nub of the political instability in Solomon Islands is that no real change is being offerred by either side.
Rioting broke out in the capital Honiara on Wednesday after the announcement of Manasseh Sogavare as the country's next prime minister.
While the jury is still out on whether the unrest was a legitimate political protest there was a strong sentiment in the lead up to the election a win by Mr Sogavare would represent the political status quo, with most of the MPs, in what became his coalition group, having also formed the last government.
A professor in Comparative Politics at Victoria University of Wellington, Jon Fraenkel, says if you look at the make up of the winning coalition and the opposing coalition, led by Matthew Wale, they are almost identical.
Koroi Hawkins spoke with Mr Fraenkel about the political situation in Solomon Islands, beginning by asking if the latest unrest was unexpected.
Manasseh Sogavare speaks on the steps of Solomon Islands National Parliament shortly after winning the prime ministerial election. 24 April 2019 Photo: Forum Solomon Islands International
