New Solomon Islands PM Secures Win Amid Tension with China Over Security Agreement

Mathew Wale, a pro-Western candidate, has been elected prime minister of the Solomon Islands. Wale won 29 out of 50 votes in a secret ballot in Parliament, defeating his rival Jeremiah Manele, who had advocated for closer ties with Beijing.

Wale, delighted with the outcome, expressed relief that the vote occurred without any violence, stating, “Today we showed the world that we are better than this.” The Solomon Islands, an island nation in Oceania with a population of around 720 thousand, have a history of election-related riots. In the past, in 2000, Prime Minister Bart Ulufa’alu was kidnapped by armed individuals, leading to his resignation. In 2006, an international contingent was deployed to prevent riots during elections.

Analysts predict that Wale will continue the policy of closer ties with Taiwan initiated by his predecessor Manasseh Sogavare. However concerns have been raised by China regarding a security agreement signed with Taiwan in 2021 and fearing the potential establishment of a permanent Western military base in the South Pacific.

In his plans for governance, Wale has promised a “government of national unity” focused on economic revitalization and progress towards recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the priorities outlined by the new government are a reform of the value-added tax and the establishment of a special economic zone.