Solomon Islands China-friendly PM Sogavare not standing for new term: ‘geopolitics is at play’
- Sogavare made the announcement during a TV press conference on Monday evening, and his political party would instead back ex-Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele
- The election is being watched by China, the US and Australia due to the potential impact on regional security. In 2022, Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomons
Solomon Islands incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said he would not be a candidate when lawmakers vote this week for a new prime minister, and his political party would instead back former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The two major opposition parties in the Solomon Islands struck a coalition deal on Saturday as they vie with Sogavare’s party to form a government after an election delivered no clear winner.
Last week’s election was the first since Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022, inviting Chinese police into the Pacific Islands archipelago and drawing the nation closer to Beijing.
The election is being watched by China, the US and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security.
Sogavare, who narrowly held his on seat in last Wednesday’s national election, announced he would not be a candidate for prime minister at a televised press conference on Monday evening.
Sogavare said his government had been “under pressure from the United States and western allies” and he had been “accused of many things”.
