Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended his recent SBD$2.1 million (US$249,000) back-to-back trip to the Gulf States of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying that an immediate budgetary support worth SBD$8.3 million (USD$988,000) secured from Riyadh alone outweighs the trip expenses.
Speaking at a press conference prior to his departure to Jakarta Indonesia for the presidential inauguration, last week, PM Manele said recent media reports have alluded that the benefits of the two visits were not clear against their associated costs to taxpayers.
“When we analyse the outcomes and benefits of our overseas trips, we must analyse them not only in monetary terms. We must also assess them on the scope and depth of the partnerships that have been developed and how these partnerships develop and provide benefits to our country.
“Over the medium and long-term, many times it is not immediately possible to quantify the value and benefits of our overseas travels and engagements.
“However, these are extremely important because they provide the basis for enhanced practical cooperation and collaboration that will lead to more resources flowing into our country in the future,” the former Solomon Islands Ambassador to the United Nations, United States and Canada said.
“Simply put, Solomon Islands will not be where we are today without the support of our development partners – both bilaterial and multilateral – and hence the importance of remaining engaged in maintaining and expanding the scope of our cooperation with our partners because our development priorities and interests are broader and deeper than those of other Pacific Island states.
“So, we must continue to advocate for our priorities and needs as a Small Island Developing state as well as a Least Developed Country. We cannot just sit in our country and hope that development partner support will just fall onto our lap.
“We must invest time and effort in establishing and nurturing our partnerships. We need to spend money to generate more money,” he added.
PM Manele said the visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE amounted to SBD$2.1 million but added that Saudi Arabia will be providing an immediate budgetary support of SBD$8.3 million (US$988,000) to Solomon Islands Government and this exceeds the cost of the back-to-back visit by more than SBD$6 million (US$713,000).
He said this money will be deposited into the Solomon Islands Government’s account with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands as soon as Honiara provides the account details to Riyadh.
The PM said some may think this is too small an amount, but this is something, given Solomon Islands Government’s budget deficit situation and financial constraints.
PM Manele said Saudi Arabia has also pledged support towards Solomon Islands hosting of the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting in September.
The PM said Saudi Arabia has also indicated its support to a Legacy Programme with the National Hosting Authority for the use of the 2023 Pacific Games Facilities.
He said the actual funding amount is still being liaised on, but Solomon Islands Government anticipates receiving a substantial amount of more than USD$8.4 million.
In addition, Saudi Arabia and UAE have also agreed on financing agreements for various projects in Solomon Islands through the Saudi Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Fund for development.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has criticised the Prime Minister’s recent overseas engagements describing them as a “diplomatic hopscotch” lacking clear priorities.
The Prime Minister missed the United Nations General Assembly, citing urgent domestic duties.
Yet, just days later, he flew to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He also announced that he would be unable to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, also citing pressing domestic obligations.
Yet, he is currently in Indonesia attending a presidential inauguration.
“Where are the Prime Minister’s priorities?”
“He avoids the UNGA but makes time for the UAE. He skips CHOGM yet makes time for Jakarta. It appears that ceremonial events take precedence over global forums,” the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga said.
The Opposition Leader said the absence of the PM from key international forums like the UNGA and CHOGM raises concerns, particularly for the Solomon Islands as a Pacific Island nation grappling with pressing issues such as climate change, economic development, and regional security.
“Commitment to such national and regional concerns should not be sacrificed for diplomatic convenience,” he said.
MP Wale emphasised the ongoing human rights crisis in West Papua as a pressing regional issue that still remains.
“If Prime Minister Manele’s visit to Jakarta is to have any merit, it should include a forthright discussion with Indonesia about the systemic repression of West Papuan lives and voices,” Wale said.
The Opposition Leader added the Prime Minister’s approach of “consultation rather than confrontation” must not come at the expense of advocating for human rights of Melanesian brothers and sisters.
He said that Prime Minister Manele’s absence from key international forums signals misplaced national priorities. He added that the lack of dialogue on ongoing human rights violations with Indonesia would suggest the country’s priorities are negotiable, or even expendable, for financial gain.