'Respect and uphold democracy': New Solomons PM calls for unity and peace

Solomon Islanders have been urged to respect and uphold the democratic process following the election of its new prime minister this afternoon.

Jeremiah Manele defeated his rival candidate and former opposition leader Matthew Wale in the parliamentary vote, 31-18

Addressing the media after his victory, Manele vowed to put the interests of his people and country above all other interests.

Watch RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins' interview on the Solomons below.

The 56-year-old served as foreign minister under the man he replaced, Manasseh Sogavare, who withdrew from the race for the top job earlier in the week.

Manele is also expected to continue to maintain close relations with China, and whether he will take a less confrontational approach to the region's key partners New Zealand and Australia than his predecessor.

Speaking to journalists following his victory, Manele said it was a historic moment for his electorate, Hograno/Kia/Havulei in Isabel Province.

"This is indeed a historic moment for my people of Isabel Province to have one of their sons as the prime minister of Solomon Islands.

"I will discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I will at all times put the interests of our people and country above all other interests.

"Past prime minister elections have been marked by acts of violence and destruction. Our economies and livelihoods have suffered because of this violence.

"However, today we show the world that we are better than that. We must respect and uphold the democratic process … and set an example for our children and their children."

Hundreds of military and police personnel from Aotearoa, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji were in the Solomons to provide security during the general elections.

Solomons police have been put on high alert ahead of the election of the PM.

Manele and Wale were invited to the Solomon Islands National University to share their thoughts on what their prime ministership would look like.

Manele had declined, citing security risks, which left many of those who attended the event confused.

"I had no clue what that was," one expert said. "That's an excuse."

"I think it could be a fear that if he goes up against Wale and he doesn't do well in front of the public, that would look bad on him. So, it would be better to be absent.

"Then, on the other hand, he gave Wale a monopoly over the discussions."

Wale spoke about the economy, health, and education, issues that the experts said are important to Solomon Islanders.

Head of Pacific Studies at the University of Hawai'i, Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, told PMN News it was important that peace is maintained in the Solomons following the announcement of the country's new leader.

"I think the big issue is, let's hope that the general public respects the outcome of Parliament's decision to whoever becomes Prime Minister.

"We don't want to repeat what happened in 2021 or the previous elections. So let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that that's the case."

Kabutaulaka said he also hoped that the New Zealand and Australian police and army personnel remained in the Solomons after the elections.

"This is the most volatile period. It's not the election. So the national general elections, if you look at it historically, nothing really happens. People just go and vote and at the end of the day, that was it. You might have disagreements here and there, but that happens everywhere. Much worse here in the US than anywhere else.

"But it's this second election, it's the period after the national general election and the lead up to and the election of the prime minister that's most volatile.

"So I would have thought that we would require more assistance now than during the election.

"But that also depends on the nature of the agreement between the Solomon Islands government and the regional forces that are helping out.

"I know that there is some assistance with Solomon Islands police in the front, but Australian and New Zealand probably advising. And I know that yesterday helicopters were flying over the parliament building and so forth. I would assume that that's part of preparation for security."

Watch Koroi Hawkins' interview below.