US envoy to Solomon Islands warns of aid that benefits ‘one bank account’
- Erin McKee’s comments came after the country was beset with riots last month blamed in part on discontent with China
- Solomons PM Sogavare was accused by the opposition leader of using money from a government fund that comes from Beijing to prop up his political strength
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was accused last week by the leader of the opposition in parliament of using money from a national development fund that comes from China to prop up his political strength. He has rejected corruption allegations.
Sogavare has blamed foreign powers that opposed his 2019 decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing for influencing anti-government protesters from Malaita province.
Under-developed Malaita has been historically at odds with Guadalcanal province, where the national government is based, and opposed the 2019 switch of ties. It has banned Chinese construction and companies, and in 2020 accepted a US$25 million US Aid programme.
Malaita protesters last month sparked riots in the capital Honiara, where there is discontent over foreign companies failing to provide local jobs. Large sections of Chinatown burnt down.
In her first public comments on the unrest, US ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Erin McKee said in a statement that the loss of life and destruction of property in Honiara was tragic and “should not have happened”.