Manasseh Sogavare, the current prime minister of the Solomon Islands, announced on Monday that he would not run for a second term, ending his more than four-year pro-China administration. His resignation came after his party selected foreign minister Jeremiah Manele as its parliamentary leader, effectively making him its candidate for prime minister, in the wake of the inconclusive elections held on April 17. On Thursday, lawmakers in the Solomon Islands will cast a secret ballot to select a new prime minister.
Sogavare expressed his desire to express gratitude to the public for the “privilege and honor” of serving his nation. However, he made a final jab at his detractors by claiming that his kids and family had endured “unprecedented verbal abuse.” Sogavare said at a press conference, “I’ve been accused of many things, but not a single one of these accusations has been proven.” “The media has consistently demonized me,” he declared. But that didn’t make me lose heart. It’s not been simple at all.” When he abruptly changed diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019, he inaugurated his most recent term of office and immediately invited Beijing’s investment and assistance. On Thursday, lawmakers in the Solomon Islands will cast a secret ballot to select a new prime minister.
