Solomon Islands Prime Minister (PM) Manasseh Sogavare survived Monday’s no-confidence motion amid intense anti-government protests, after the opposition accused him of corruption and using foreign influence to prop up his government.
In a 90-minute speech, Sogavare said he had done nothing wrong and that he would not bow down to evil forces or Taiwan’s agents. The PM won the motion with 32 votes to 15 and two abstentions. Regarding concerns about increasing Chinese investment, the PM said it was essential for the nation’s development.
The no-confidence motion was first introduced by opposition leader Matthew Wale, who said, “This is a prime minister who has willingly compromised our sovereignty for his personal political benefit.”
Wale accused Sogavare of using Chinese funds to support his government and of allowing “foreign cronies” to exploit the country’s natural resources. “How is he supposed to make decisions wholly in the interests of the Solomon Islands, untainted by considerations for the PRC (People’s Republic of China)?” he said. He highlighted local grievances over inadequate healthcare, acquisition of prime land by foreigners, and how the interests of logging companies have been prioritised at the expense of locals.
Wale also condemned the violence that first erupted on November 24 in the country but said that it pales compared to looting by the ruling government. Refuting Sogavare’s allegations that he had conspired with anti-Beijing foreign powers to incite the riots, he said it is the PM who is to blame, for working at the behest of offshore logging and mining companies.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Culwick Togamana backed Sogavare’s leadership and said he should not resign.
However, the PM’s grip on power has been further weakened after lawmaker Silas Tausinga claimed that he and his colleagues were offered US$30,000 from an electoral fund bankrolled by Beijing if they voted to keep Sogavare in power. Supporting these claims, a goverment gazette notice dated December 2 highlighted money withdrawal in the name of 22 lawmakers from the National Provident Fund in recent days.
According to reports, armed troops and police patrolled the streets of downtown Honiara on Monday to prevent fresh rioting amid debate on the no-confidence motion in the parliament. Police also imposed a ban on the sale of liquor to avoid the repeat of deadly riots that erupted less than two weeks ago, when protesters burned several buildings while calling for the PM’s removal.
Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare survives vote of no confidence in parliament after anti-govt riots over a week ago ravaged capital Honiara pic.twitter.com/JXkEkZ0psR
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 6, 2021
On Sunday, many people were seen leaving the capital on chartered ferries for the provinces ahead of the no-confidence vote. Access to certain downtown areas was blocked by shipping containers, after most of the Chinatown district was left in ruins amid the riots last month, which left three people dead.
Against this tense backdrop, Church leaders have called for a dialogue between Malaita, the nation’s most populous district, and the national government.
Protests in the country erupted two weeks ago against Sogavare’s policies, which critics say have fuelled violence, poverty, unemployment, and animosity among the islands. The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands estimates the damages caused by the riots at $67 million. However, considering that more than 60 buildings were damaged and looted, others estimate that this may be just half of the total damage caused. The bank said that the riots will cost over a thousand jobs.
Australia said it will deploy more than 100 police and military personnel to the Solomon Islands as protesters in the Pacific nation defied a government-imposed lockdown and set fire to buildings in the capital Honiara for a second day https://t.co/RuYqDZcVWI pic.twitter.com/DEH0eEjlHZ
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 25, 2021
Sogavare is serving as PM for the fourth time and has been toppled by a no-confidence vote twice before. Under his leadership, in 2019, the Solomon Islands have switched allegiance from Taiwan to China. In fact, opposition leader Wale claimed that China had funnelled funds to secure support for the PM ahead of the no-confidence motion.
In light of continued tensions and the possibility of further violence, the United States (US) has restricted operations at its consulate in Honiara.