Manasseh Sogavare exits Solomon Islands’ PM race

After five years in power, Manasseh Sogavare won’t renominate for PM, in a move which may reset the ­Pacific nation’s pro-China direction.

Anthony Albanese with the Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare in Canberra in 2022. Picture: PMO

Solomons Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called time on his five-year rule of the ­Pacific nation after losing his ­majority in parliament, in a move which may reset the Solomons’ pro-China direction.

Mr Sogavare on Monday conceded he would not have the numbers in a hung parliament to stay on and will instead leave his Foreign Minister, Jeremiah Manele, to attempt to put together a coalition to keep his Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party in power.

Voters had rejected a Sogavare re-election platform anchored by a “look north” strategy that would deepen security and ­economic ties with China despite Australia’s heightened efforts to strengthen ties with the Pacific nation.

The Prime Minister – who is on his fourth separate stint in the Solomons’ top job – on Monday said it was time for new leadership and blamed local media for the backlash he suffered from voters.

“I have been accused of many things,” Mr Sogavare said.

“My family, and my children included, have been subjected to unprecedented verbal abuse. I have been increasingly vilified in the media, our family home has been razed to the ground.

“But that did not waver my resolve to serve my country. It is a monumental sacrifice.”

Mr Sogavare drew global attention when he signed a controversial security deal with Beijing in 2022 amid violent riots in Honiara.

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Mr Sogavare in Beijing in 2023. Picture: Reuters

The OUR Party leader had used his failed election manifesto to tout opportunities he argues have been created by his government’s controversial decision months after the 2019 election to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing.

But Mr Sogavare had also tried to be more conciliatory to Australia in recent months, despite accusing it in 2022 of using “covert” delays to aid to pressure his government’s finances over his growing relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Governor-General David Vunagi will call MPs on Thursday to determine Mr Sogavare’s successor.

It was not clear if the outgoing Prime Minister’s preferred candidate, Mr Manele, would have the numbers to take over despite the OUR Party still holding the most seats.