. Earth Science News .
WATER WORLD
Solomons PM moves to delay election, change constitution
by AFP Staff Writers
Honiara (AFP) Aug 9, 2022

Solomon Islands' pro-Beijing prime minister has proposed changing the constitution to delay scheduled elections, officials confirmed Tuesday, fuelling concerns for the future of democracy in the Pacific nation.

After months of speculation, Manasseh Sogavare has formally put a Constitution Amendment Bill to parliament that would delay next year's election -- citing the burden of hosting the Pacific Games, a sporting event, in the same year.

The proposal, obtained by AFP, seeks to suspend the dissolution of "the eleventh Parliament on December 31", meaning the general election would not happen until 2024 at the earliest.

The Solomon Islands parliament is expected to discuss the constitutional changes on September 5, a parliamentary official told AFP.

Sogavare, a four-time prime minister who has twice been ousted by votes of no confidence, is facing another challenge to his premiership, this time over his increasingly close ties with China.

After widespread rioting in the capital Honiara demanding his ouster late last year, Sogavare signed a secretive security pact with Beijing that -- according to a leaked draft -- would allow him to call in Chinese security forces to quell further unrest.

Western powers are wary that, in return, Sogavare could provide China with a military foothold in a strategically important part of the world.

Senior US diplomat Wendy Sherman this week visited the nation of 800,000 people to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal.

During the visit she pointedly warned her hosts about a new struggle against "leaders who believe that coercion, pressure, and violence are tools to be used with impunity".

"It is up to us to decide if we want to continue having societies where people are free to speak their minds," she said.

- 'Like dictators through history' -

At home, Sogavare's detractors see the effort to change the constitution as another move by a leader who has become increasingly autocratic since his latest stint in power began in 2019.

"So it's happening. PM Soga has submitted the Constitution Amendment Bill to postpone the dissolution of the 11th Parl (parliament)," Matthew Wale, leader of the Solomons opposition, wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

"I encourage all citizens to use the Bills Committee process to air their views."

Moves to muzzle the country's public broadcaster have only fuelled concerns about the trajectory of Sogavare's rule.

The 67-year-old insists he only wants to defer the elections because the Solomon Islands "do not have enough funds" to host both the Pacific Games and an election in the same year.

"We are simply moving the national elections to after we host the Pacific Games 2023," he said in a speech last month.

China is financing a national stadium complex reportedly worth $53 million to host the Games and Australia on Tuesday announced it would help with funding.

Australia "can't keep pretending Sogavare wants a democracy in the Solomon Islands", said Michael Shoebridge of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

"He's used Chinese money and will use Chinese security forces to stay in power. Now, like dictators through history, he's changing the Constitution to avoid elections."


Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


WATER WORLD
Biden to host White House Pacific island summit
Nuku'Alofa, Tonga (AFP) Aug 6, 2022
US President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence. Visiting Tonga, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said the leaders would be invited to Washington for a meeting and dinner late in the month. "This meeting will be a historic opportunity with the United States and Pacific islands countries to hear and listen, the Pacific way," Sherman sa ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

WATER WORLD
Iraq to provide Lebanon with fuel for another year: Lebanon PM

Suspended sediment reduced by rapid revegetation after Fukushima decontamination

Obstructions slow bid to save trapped Mexican miners

Climate, poverty collude to torment Central America

WATER WORLD
Benchmark to keep popular orbits safer with collision avoidance kit

Scientists have created optical fibers with unusual properties

Spaceflight prepares propulsive Sherpa OTV to launch on upcoming Starlink mission

Pitt is the only university in the U.S. with this giant 3D printer for metal

WATER WORLD
Solomons PM moves to delay election, change constitution

Biden to host White House Pacific island summit

Endangered sharks, rays caught in protected Med areas: study

Salt of the earth: Israeli artist's Dead Sea sculptures

WATER WORLD
Swiss mountain pass ice to melt completely within weeks

Scandinavian research shows Arctic warming nearly four times as fast as entire globe

Lowest July Antarctic sea ice on record: monitor

Ancient ice ages shapes how seagrasses respond to environmental threats

WATER WORLD
Brazil farmers bet on environmentally friendly cotton

On the menu at a UK restaurant: carbon footprintl

Extreme heat, price hikes impose tough choices on UK farm

Two more grain shipments leave Ukrain

WATER WORLD
South Korea flooding death toll rises to nine

Tens of thousands trek rugged trail to glimpse Iceland volcano

Record rainfall, flooding in Seoul kill seven

Seoul seeks to ban basement flats after flooding deaths

WATER WORLD
42 Mali soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attacks

US says four jihadists killed in Somalia air strikes

Jihadist-hit Mali receives six more warplanes from Russia

Ethiopia govt in 'direct engagements' with Tigray rebels: AU

WATER WORLD
Why thinking hard makes you tired

Communication makes hunting easier for chimpanzees

China faces new demographic challenges

Taking your time makes a difference in Neanderthal times









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.