Solomon Islands choose China friend as new PM

Solomon Islands MPs have selected a new prime minister in a secret ballot, choosing Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, who has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation’s foreign policy that made it grow close to China.

Governor General Sir David Vunagi announced outside Parliament House that Manele had won 31 votes, to Opposition leader Matthew Wales’ 18 votes.

Police have boosted security in the capital Honiara as newly elected MPs arrived at parliament on Thursday to vote.

Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi talk during a ceremony to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between their two countries in 2019.Credit: AP

A national election last month failed to deliver a majority to any political party, and two camps lobbied to win support from independents ahead of the vote for prime minister.

The election is being closely watched by Australia, China and the US because of the potential impact on regional security, after incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022.

Sogavare, who built close ties with Beijing during five years in power, did not seek re-election to the top political office and his party backed Manele.

During Sogavare’s previous term, China’s influence increased more in the Solomons than anywhere else in the South Pacific. He switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.

Sogavare’s election in 2019 sparked riots in the capital Honiara over legal questions hanging over his eligibility to become prime minister. More serious riots resulted in arson and looting in Honiara in November 2021 after his leadership survived a no-confidence motion.

Outside parliament, Manele said “the people have spoken”. He used his first speech as leader to promise to govern with integrity and to put his nation’s interests first.

“I will discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I will at all times put the interests of our people and country above all other interests.”

He urged against any post-election violence.

“Past prime minister’s elections have been met with the act of violence and destruction. Our economy and livelihoods have suffered because of this violence.

“However, today we show the world that we are better than that. We must respect and uphold the democratic process of electing our prime minister and set an example for our children and their children,” he added.

Manele’s OUR party, which has pledged to build more infrastructure, won 15 seats, and gained four seats under a renewed coalition with two micro parties. It needed support from independents to reach 26 seats for a majority in the 50-seat house. A total of 49 votes were cast with one MP absent.

Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in Solomon Islands, said Manele has “a strong track record of working well with all international partners”, compared to Sogavare who was “a polarising figure”.

Australian National University’s Pacific expert Graeme Smith said Manele was capable and “a big change in style” for Solomon Islands.

Wale, in a 20-seat coalition of opposition parties called CARE, said on Wednesday the government had failed to create jobs and the economy was dominated by logging and mining companies which shipped resources to China, while health clinics were unable to obtain basic medications such as paracetamol.

Reuters, AP