Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Matthew Wale
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale adjourned the Pacific nation’s parliament indefinitely on Monday, after staring down a no-confidence vote closely watched by China and US allies.
The political drama unfolded as US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau arrived in the Solomons on Sunday, pledging the return of the Peace Corps to the island nation where US Pacific forces fought a pivotal battle in World War II.
Wale is reviewing a security pact struck with China in 2022 as he steers his nation closer to the US and Australia and was forced to abruptly leave a Pacific islands leaders summit last week to fight the no-confidence motion.
Diplomats at the Pacific Islands Forum told AFP that the survival of Wale’s government, three months after he embarked on a course to reduce reliance on China, would have security consequences for the region.
