Solomon Islands elects ex-foreign minister Jeremiah Manele as new PM
File photo.
Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands on Thursday (May 2) elected thecountry'sformer foreign ministerJeremiahManeleasthe newprime minister.Manele'sappointment as PM suggests that the Solomon Islands would maintain close ties with China. As foreign minister,Manele, 56, travelled to China in 2019 to formalise hiscountry'sswitch in diplomatictiesfrom Taiwan to Beijing.
“Iwill discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I willat all timesput the interests of our people and country above all other interests,”Manele said in a speech outside the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, the news agency Associated Press reported.
The ballot
The report said that Manele won 31 votes in a secret ballot of 49 lawmakers who won the general elections last month. Meanwhile, Matthew Wale, who led the opposition in the previous parliament, receivedthe remaining18 votes.
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Lastmonth'selection sawincumbent PM ManassehSogavare'sgovernment lose halfofits seats but failed to deliver a majority to any political party.Hence, theruling party (the OUR Party) and the oppositionlobbied to winsupport from independents ahead of the vote for prime minister.
Sogavare did not seek re-election to the top postandthe OUR Party backed Manele.
Manele urges against post-pollviolence
During his speech outside Parliament, Manele urged citizens against any post-election violence.“Past primeminister’selections have been met with the act of violence and destruction. Our economy and livelihoods have suffered because of this violence,”the 56-year-old said.
“However, todayweshow the worldthat weare 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.
The newPM'scommentscame asSogavare'selection (as PM) 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 moved by Matthew Wale.
Reactions toManele'sappointment as PM
Speaking to the news agency Reuters,Mihai Sora, a former diplomat in the SolomonIslands, said that Manelehas"a strong track record of working well with all international partners",compared to Sogavarewhowas"a polarising figure".
Australian NationalUniversity'sPacific expert Graeme Smith said Manele was capable and"a big change in style"for thecountry.
(With inputs from agencies)