Page 11 - IB May 2024

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands

outright. However, OUR Party quickly formed alliances with were mixed.
two other political parties, and with the support of the ten Many saw the incoming government as “just a replica of the
independent MPs, secured the majority. last Sogavare government with a new leader”.
At this stage, it became clear Sogavare’s camp had the “I don’t expect to see much change in terms of policy and
numbers. The big question was, who would be their leader? decision-making,” local activist, Lawrence Makili told Islands
It was a sigh of relief for many, when Sogavare himself Business.
came forward to announce his group’s candidate for Prime “They are just the same government with a different person
Minister – not him, but Jeremiah Manele. at the helm,” Makili added.
A former Foreign Affairs minister and seasoned diplomat, “So, you’d expect China to be at the centre of every
Manele was seen as the most ideal candidate to calm things decision and policy they’ll come up with.”
down considering the public hostility against Sogavare and his But Honiara resident Wilfred Iro expressed the views of
OUR Party. many voters in saying that the important thing now is having a
The November 2021 riots in Honiara, that resulted in different person other than Sogavare at the helm.
considerable damage and caused many ethnic-Chinese and “I can only imagine the public reaction if it was Sogavare
Solomon Islands entrepreneurs to lose their businesses, who was elected today,” Iro says of the election outcome.
were widely believed to have been driven by outrage over “At least we have someone who is not Sogavare.”
Sogavare’s decision to shift allegiance from Taiwan to China.
“We are well-aware of the likely repercussions of having International reactions
Sogavare as our candidate,” a Sogavare camp insider told While local sceptics were blunt in their assessment of
Islands Business. Manele’s victory, Western diplomats were relieved to have
“This is why we picked Manele.” someone they’ve known for years and could speak to with
For many Solomon Islanders, the thought of having Sogavare ease.
and his OUR Party at the helm for the next four years was “I think the positive we get out of this election is we have
inconceivable. a different leader other than Sogavare,” one Honiara-based
But with Sogavare out of leadership contention and Manele diplomat told Islands Business.
at the front, there was a certain degree of acceptance. “Manele may be part of the last regime, but he is not
The Prime Minister’s election on 2 May was a foregone Sogavare. He’s a diplomat, someone we know and could
conclusion. Manele drew 31 votes of the 49 ballots cast to relate to,” the diplomat added.
claim the top job for the first time. China was amongst the first diplomatic allies to welcome
Manele’s election victory.
Same government, different leader
Reactions to Manele’s victory both at home and abroad Continued on page 18

Islands Business, May 2024 11