Solomon Islands lawmakers selected Jeremiah Manele as their new prime minister, elevating the former foreign minister who has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation's international policy that drew it closer to China.

Honiara

Solomon Islands lawmakers have chosen Jeremiah Manele as their new Prime Minister, a significant move that sustains the nation's diplomatic ties closer to China. Manele, who previously served as the Foreign Minister, is set to uphold Solomon Islands' international strategy which has been instrumental in fostering a closer relationship with Beijing.

Addressing the public outside the Parliament, Manele emphasized his commitment to introducing new policies aimed at reviving the nation's economy, which is currently struggling to recover from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the riots of 2021. He acknowledged the challenging economic situation described in a recent Central Bank report and promised a concerted effort towards recovery, involving all relevant stakeholders.

Manele's path to becoming Prime Minister was marked by intense political rivalry, particularly following the national elections last month. Although the elections stripped half the parliamentary seats from Manele's party, led by Manasseh Sogavare, no clear majority emerged, fueling a competitive environment with the opposition. Under Sogavare's leadership, Solomon Islands had shifted its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019, a decision cemented by Manele's visit to China to formalize the ties.

The political landscape in Solomon Islands, especially pertaining to its foreign policy and recent security pact with Beijing, has been under close scrutiny by regional and global powers. The controversial arrangement, initiated by Sogavare, involved the introduction of Chinese police forces to the islands, drawing criticism from the opposition and international concern from Australia and the United States.

In light of Manele’s appointment, Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese expressed his eagerness to foster a strong relationship with Solomon Islands, highlighting the tight-knit bond between both nations. Similarly, the Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands has signaled its readiness to work alongside Manele to further develop bilateral relations and accrue mutual benefits for their peoples.



Solomon Islands picks China-ally as new leader

I declare that Honorable Jeremiah Manele is the prime minister of Solomon Islands. Lawmakers in Solomon Islands picked Jeremiah Manele as their new prime minister on Thursday, a move that keeps the Pacific Islands nation as an ally to China. I humbly stand before you. Speaking outside Parliament, Manele pledged to unveil new policies soon, as the economy slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 anti-government riots. The recent report by the Central Bank on the state of our economy is concerning, and calls for a more focused and aggressive approach. It is not an easy task, but we will be reaching out to all relevant stakeholders as we progress on our road to recovery. Manele was foreign minister and had travelled to China in 2019 to formalise the Solomon switch in diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing. On Monday, Manele said he would keep the same foreign policy basis, friends to all and enemies to none. His elevation to the top job comes after weeks of fierce competition with opposition parties to win support from independents. Last month's national election saw Manele's party, under incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, lose half of its parliamentary seats, but also delivered no majority to any party. The election has been closely watched by China, the United States and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security. Sogavare had struck a controversial security pact with Beijing in 2022, which involved inviting Chinese police into Solomon Islands. The opposition coalition has been critical of the pact and favoured a return to closer ties with countries like Australia and the US. On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese said on social media he looked forward to working closely with Manele, saying their two countries were close friends with connected futures. While the Solomon's Chinese embassy said in a Facebook post it looked forward to working with him, quote, to develop China-Solomon Islands relations and deliver more benefits to our peoples.

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