PRIME Minister (PM) Manasseh Sogavare calls on foreign countries, institutions and organizations to stop labelling Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands nations as their ‘backyard’.
He expressed this in Parliament on Tuesday to wind up the motion to acknowledge the speech from the throne by His Excellency Governor General Sir David Vunagi.
He said the term ‘Backyard’ is very insulating and disrespectful.
He highlighted the term ‘Backyard’ means its where the chickens, pig pens are located, not only that but it’s a place where people can relieve themselves.
“Therefore, I call on those who brand us as backyard to stop and start to respect us,” he said.
Over the years many countries and institutions have labelled most of the pacific Islands countries including Solomon Islands their backyard.
And for that PM Sogavare wanted this to stop. He said these small countries are sovereign nations which also have a say in global organizations.
By MOFFAT MAMU
