Solomon Islands, where China has gained significant influence in the South Pacific, is holding elections that could have a profound impact on the region's future.
Voters board the already overcrowded Fair Glory ferry in Honiara, Solomon Islands , Saturday, April 13, 2024, heading to Malaita Island to vote in a national election. The country in which China has gained most influence in the South Pacific , Solomon Islands , goes to the polls on Wednesday in an election that could shape the region’s future. Locals react as they participate in a candidates parade in the capital Honiara, Solomon Islands , Monday, April 15, 2024.
There are also fears the electoral process could again ignite violence in a restive nation riven with inter-island and ethnic tensions, a perceived lack of sharing of resources, widespread poverty and high youth unemployment.Voters from among 700,000 people spread over the more than 900 islands that comprise the Solomon Islands will elect 50 lawmakers from 334 candidates. Only 21 candidates are women and none of them is currently in office.
After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister. Ministerial posts are offered as inducements. Foreign business figures from the mining, logging, retail and tourism industries also take part in negotiations, fueling concerns lawmakers might put personal gain ahead of constituents’ interests.
Riots following the 2006 election, which were fueled by allegations of Chinese interference and resentment against Chinese business people, led to Prime Minister Snyder Rini’s resignation after a week in office and Sogavare’s second 18-month stint as government leader. While the agreed upon document has not been made public, a leaked draft would involve China in maintaining civic order through the deployment of “armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces.”
He may also have China to thank for his continued leadership, with Australian Broadcasting Corp. reporting that China provided more than $3 million to bribe lawmakers to support Sogavare against a no-confidence motion in parliament in 2021. Sogavare’s government denied the report.
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