Solomons pm survives no-confidence motion against Taiwan

SYDNEY Reuters Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare survived a no confidence motion in parliament on Monday, after accusing the Pacific island nation's most populous province of being Taiwan's agent and anti-government protesters of attempting a coup.

Dozens of buildings were burnt and shops looted in the capital of the Pacific island nation just over a week ago, in violence that killed four after Sogavare refused to speak with protesters who had travelled from Malaita province.

Domestic issues and disagreement over a switch of diplomatic ties to China from Taiwan in the year 2019 have fueled a dispute between the national government and Malaita, and church leaders have urged talks.

The no-confidence motion by the Opposition failed, with 15 MPs voting in support, 32 against, and two abstaining.

Sogavare, now in his fourth term in office, rejected graft accusations, saying he would not submit to calls to resign by Taiwan's agents. The motion was made against the backdrop of an illegal coup and blamed the Malaita provincial government.

Taiwan has denied involvement in the unrest.

Sogavare said that his cabinet made the decision to switch ties because China was an economic powerhouse, and that it was unlawful for provinces to engage in diplomatic relations with other countries.

China had agreed to upgrade the Solomon Islands' hospital and universities, according to the parliament.

China's embassy in the Solomons said any attempt to damage bilateral ties between China and the Solomon Islands was doomed to fail. China-Solomons Islands ties will overcome all difficulties, a statement from the embassy said.

The opposition leader Matthew Wale told parliament Sogavare was in the service of a foreign power, accusing him of using money from China in a national fund to prop up his political strength before the vote.

Wale said the prime minister is dependent on the National Development Fund NDF money to maintain his political strength. How can he make decisions only in the interests of the Solomon Islands? Wale said that citizens are angry at inadequate healthcare, prime land being taken by foreigners, and logging companies overruling local interests.

He said the looting and violence that erupted on November 24 must be condemned, but he said it pales in comparison to the looting that happens at the top. Malaita has had a history of disputes with Guadalcanal province where the national government is based and opposed the switch of ties in the year 2019.

Its premier, Daniel Suidani, has banned Chinese companies from working in Malaita and has accepted U.S. aid.

About 1,000 people gathered in the provincial capital of Auki to listen to a livestream of the parliament session, a political aide to Suidani told Reuters.

The adviser, Celsus Talifilu, said by telephone, Suidani is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday about a referendum for Malaita's independence.