The Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has criticized the Prime Minister’s (PM) recent overseas engagements describing them as a “diplomatic hopscotch” lacking clear priorities.
The Prime Minister missed the United Nations General Assembly, citing urgent domestic duties.
Yet, just days later, he flew to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He also announced that he would be unable to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, also citing pressing domestic obligations.
Yet, he is currently in Indonesia attending a presidential inauguration.
“Where are the Prime Minister’s priorities?”
“He avoids the UNGA but makes time for the UAE. He skips CHOGM, yet makes time for Jakarta. It appears that ceremonial events take precedence over global forums,” the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aoke/Langalanga said.
The Opposition Leader said that the absence of the PM from key international forums like the UNGA and CHOGM raises concerns, particularly for the Solomon Islands as a Pacific Island nation grappling with pressing issues such as climate change, economic development, and regional security.
“Commitment to such national and regional concerns should not be sacrificed for diplomatic convenience,” he said.
MP Wale emphasized the ongoing human rights crisis in West Papua as a pressing regional issue that still remains.
“If Prime Minister Manele’s visit to Jakarta is to have any merit, it should include a forthright discussion with Indonesia about the systemic repression of West Papuan lives and voices,” Wale said.
The Opposition Leader added the Prime Minister’s approach of “consultation rather than confrontation” must not come at the expense of advocating for human rights of Melanesian brothers and sisters.
He concluded that Prime Minister Manele’s absence from key international forums signals misplaced national priorities.
He added that the lack of dialogue on ongoing human rights violations with Indonesia would suggest the country’s priorities are negotiable, or even expendable, for financial gain.
- Opposition Press
