After mass resignation of ministers, PM Sogavare faces a motion of no-confidence when Parliament resumes next Monday.
Honiara, Solomon Islands
ABCMelanesia
Over the past few days, nine ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga resigned. Among those who have jumped the sinking ship are former PM Danny Phillip and Snyder Rini.
The defectors accuse Sogavare's government of corruption and nepotism and that it has lost trust in the PM's leadership. Radio New Zealand reports that Robson Djokovic, the nephew of Mr Sogavare has exercised enormous power and influence as the cabinet's chief of staff.
A majority of MPs plan to fire Mr Sogavare in a vote of no-confidence next Monday, 6 November.
The MPs and the defecting ministers has no more confidence in the Democratic Coalition for Change, the government's political party.
Mr Rini, the former Fisheries Minister had this to say about Mr Sogavare:
This development comes as news broke that Mr Sogavare abruptly an anti-corruption bill. A law that would have enabled authorities to enforce anti-corruption measures more effectively.
The revolt coincides with a planned visit to Solomon Islands this week by the President of Taiwan, Dr Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan is a large donor to the government of Mr Sogavare.
Sogavare, who was revealed to be a dual-national of both Solomon Islands and PNG, bought two luxurious properties at Henderson on the eastern outskirts of Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands using the illicit money.
Many Pacific political analysts have come to the conclusion that Sogavare's views on West Papua is strongly motivated by his desire to preserve his political future.
The analyst further observed Sogavare's worsening relations with Australia and China, traditionally two of the largest foreign donors to Melanesian countries.
"Faced with that kind of political pressure, financial problems and worsening international relations, Sogavare way out was one to accept money from Taiwan and two keep stoking regional conflict with the issue of West Papua." added the analyst.
Papua and West Papua are legally and internationally recognised provinces of Indonesia.
The government of Solomon Islands have been found to commit many human rights abuses. The BBC reported that between 1997 and 2003, 100 people died and 20,000 people displaced on Guadalcanal. The Isatabu Freedom Movement is also seeking to split from the Solomon Islands.
Solomon Star reports that the Ministers who have resigned:
1. Manasseh Maelanga
2. Danny Philip
3. Snyder Rini
4. John Moffat Fugui
5. Chris Laore
6. David Tome
7. Moses Garu
8. Samson Maneka
9. Elijah Doromuala
The Backbenchers who have resigned:
1. Sam Idurii
2. Alfred Ghiro
3. Jimmy Lusibaea
4. Namson Tran
5. Lionel Alex
6. Charles Sigoto
7. Martin Kealoe
8. David Pacha
9. Dickson Mua
ABCMelanesia
ABCMelanesia
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| Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare |
Over the past few days, nine ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga resigned. Among those who have jumped the sinking ship are former PM Danny Phillip and Snyder Rini.
The defectors accuse Sogavare's government of corruption and nepotism and that it has lost trust in the PM's leadership. Radio New Zealand reports that Robson Djokovic, the nephew of Mr Sogavare has exercised enormous power and influence as the cabinet's chief of staff.
A majority of MPs plan to fire Mr Sogavare in a vote of no-confidence next Monday, 6 November.
The MPs and the defecting ministers has no more confidence in the Democratic Coalition for Change, the government's political party.
Mr Rini, the former Fisheries Minister had this to say about Mr Sogavare:
"He (PM Sogavare) changed his approach. He was diverting from our main policies, and he has listened too much to the outsiders, instead of listening to us ministers. So that's why I don't have any confidence with him, and why I resigned."
This development comes as news broke that Mr Sogavare abruptly an anti-corruption bill. A law that would have enabled authorities to enforce anti-corruption measures more effectively.
The revolt coincides with a planned visit to Solomon Islands this week by the President of Taiwan, Dr Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan is a large donor to the government of Mr Sogavare.
Money from Taiwan has in the past found its way into the pocket of Mr Sogavare.
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Douglas Ete delivered this blunt fact:
"In 2015, Taiwan gave ten million US dollars to the government of Sogavare. Sogavare used this money to bribe and co-opt his political allies and foes. About six million of it was used to bribe fifty MPs. Less than USD700k was allocated for education and development. Sogavare himself pocketed close to one million US dollars."
Sogavare, who was revealed to be a dual-national of both Solomon Islands and PNG, bought two luxurious properties at Henderson on the eastern outskirts of Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands using the illicit money.
Many Pacific political analysts have come to the conclusion that Sogavare's views on West Papua is strongly motivated by his desire to preserve his political future.
"Look, Manasseh Sogavare has been subject to many many votes of no confidence. He rampantly abuses his power and swindle state funds for his own personal gain. Add to that, under his lead, Solomon Islands experienced negative economic growth of eight percent, high unemployment and over-dependency on foreign aid."
The analyst further observed Sogavare's worsening relations with Australia and China, traditionally two of the largest foreign donors to Melanesian countries.
"Faced with that kind of political pressure, financial problems and worsening international relations, Sogavare way out was one to accept money from Taiwan and two keep stoking regional conflict with the issue of West Papua." added the analyst.
Papua and West Papua are legally and internationally recognised provinces of Indonesia.
The government of Solomon Islands have been found to commit many human rights abuses. The BBC reported that between 1997 and 2003, 100 people died and 20,000 people displaced on Guadalcanal. The Isatabu Freedom Movement is also seeking to split from the Solomon Islands.
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| PM Sogavare with a group of Taiwan delegates |
1. Manasseh Maelanga
2. Danny Philip
3. Snyder Rini
4. John Moffat Fugui
5. Chris Laore
6. David Tome
7. Moses Garu
8. Samson Maneka
9. Elijah Doromuala
The Backbenchers who have resigned:
1. Sam Idurii
2. Alfred Ghiro
3. Jimmy Lusibaea
4. Namson Tran
5. Lionel Alex
6. Charles Sigoto
7. Martin Kealoe
8. David Pacha
9. Dickson Mua
ABCMelanesia
