After an inconclusive election, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has withdrawn from the race to lead the country, attributing his defeat to Western foreign influence.
At a post-election press conference on April 29, Mr. Sogavare claimed his government had come “under pressure from the United States and [its] Western allies” and had been “accused of many things.” Despite his party, Ownership Unity and Responsibility (OUR), fielding 43 candidates in the election, won only 15 seats of the 50-seat parliament.
Since September 2019, when he ended the Solomon Islands’ recognition of Taiwan, Mr. Sogavare has been closely aligned with Beijing. The continuity of this alignment under the new government remains uncertain….
Bejing’s Hold on Solomons Uncertain After Pro-CCP Prime Minister Resigns
