Premier retains power as no-confidence vote fails

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The leader of the Solomon Islands survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Monday following riots in the capital last month.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told lawmakers in a fiery 90minute speech that he’d done nothing wrong and would not bow to “the forces of evil” or to “Taiwan’s agents.” At one point he picked up his chair and banged it on the floor to emphasize a point.

Opponents accused him and his government of lying, looting and using Chinese money to cling to power during a debate over a no-confidence motion brought by opposition leader Matthew Wale. In the end, Sogaused vare easily had the numbers, winning 32 votes to 15, with two abstentions.

China, meanwhile, said it was shipping aid to its citizens caught up in the violence. Many businesses remained closed in the capital, Honiara, ahead of the vote over concerns that violence could erupt again.

The riots in Honiara grew from a peaceful protest and highlighted long-simmering regional rivalries, economic problems and concerns about the country’s increasing links with China. Rioters set fire to buildings and looted stores.

Troops and police from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand have been helping keep the peace at the request of the Solomon Islands government.

The opposition leader a calm and measured tone that contrasted sharply with that of the prime minister. Wale described a nation plagued by unemployment, exploited resources and “looting at the top.” He said Sogavare had repeatedly lied to lawmakers and to the people.

Wale said he was hesitant to even bring the motion because it “may further add to what are already high levels of anger in certain quarters of our society.”

But Sogavare said he would resist the no-confidence motion just as he’d resisted calls to resign.

“If I resign, sir, it would be a message to our young children and youth, Mr. Speaker, that whenever we are not happy with those in authority, we take the laws into our own hands,” Sogavare said. “This is a very dangerous message to our people and future generations.”

Sogavare said Chinese investment was crucial for the nation’s development.