Solomon Islands’ Pro-China PM Won’t Run To Keep His Job

Solomon Islands' pro-Beijing Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare withdrew from the contest to remain head of the strategically important South Pacific island nation’s government following general elections two weeks ago, which are central to the US-China rivalry in the region, Rod McGuirk reported for the Associated Press (AP).

During Sogavare's previous term, China’s influence increased more in the Solomon Islands than anywhere else in the South Pacific. I Photo: Office of the President, Republic of China (Taiwan) / Flickr

Sogavare has been reelected to parliament. However, he announced during a news conference in the capital Honiara that he would not be nominated as a candidate when the 50 newly elected lawmakers vote on Thursday for the prime minister, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC).

Sogavare stated in his press conference that he had been “vilified by the media,” and his family had been subjected to “unprecedented abuse,” as reported by the ABC.

Sogavare had hoped to become the first Solomon Islands prime minister to maintain power for consecutive four-year terms following the April 17 election.

During his previous term, China’s influence increased more in the Solomon Islands than anywhere else in the South Pacific. Sogavare switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.