The Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister’s nephew and political fixer has died, in a development that could destabilise the Pacific’s most pro-China government.
Indepth Solomons reports that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare lost his high-profile Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic early Wednesday.
Djokovic, who held the position since 2019, died of heart failure at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara at around 5.45am.
A hospital spokesperson told In-depth Solomons Djokovic died two hours after he was rushed to the NRH.
“He suffered from cardiac arrest. Attempts to stabilize his condition failed,” the spokesperson explained.
Prime Minister Sogavare shared his family’s condolences on the national broadcaster to the family of Djokovic.
He said Djokovic’s passing was a huge loss for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“Djokovic was a committed and dedicated worker and a kind soul,” Sogavare said in his condolence message.
“He served the government with passion.”
Sogavare added Djokovic was also a founding member of OUR Party.
Besides his job as chief of staff, Djokovic is also the board chairman of Tourism Solomons.
Acting CEO of Tourism Solomons Dagnal Dereveke said:
“This is all so sudden for us and has come as quite a shock.”
“We are doing everything we could to help Djokovic’s family at this sad time.” Pacific Tourism Organisation Chair, Petero Manufolau, speaking on behalf of all the heads of Pacific tourist bureaus currently meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, expressed his deepest condolences to the Djokovic family.