The leader of the Solomon Islands has survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament following riots in the capital city last month. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told lawmakers that he’d done nothing wrong and would not bow down to “the forces of evil.”
In this image released by the New Zealand Defense Force, crew prepare to depart on a C-130 Hercules from Ohakea, New Zealand, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, bound for the Solomon Islands. New Zealand announced Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, that they will send up to 65 military and police personnel to the Solomon Islands over the coming days after rioting and looting broke out there last week.
Opponents accused him and his government of lying, looting and using Chinese money to cling to power during a debate over a no-confidence motion brought by opposition leader Matthew Wale.The riots in Honiara grew from a peaceful protest and highlighted long-simmering regional rivalries, economic problems and concerns about the country’s increasing links with China.
The riots grew from a peaceful protest that highlighted long-simmering regional rivalries, economic problems and concerns about the country’s increasing links with China. Wale and other lawmakers spoke at length, using a mixture of English, the official language, and the commonly spoken Melanesian pidgin.
“Given this track record, who knows? If someone else maybe come and give him a better offer,” Hounipwela said, “I’m sure he’s very capable of throwing out even China.”Health Minister Culwick Togamana said the government had been democratically elected and changing it now would vindicate the rioters, proving that the ends justify the means.