Solomon Islands PM ousted after losing confidence vote

By Lucy Craymer ‌and Alasdair ​Pal

May ​7 (Reuters) - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was ousted from power on Thursday after ‌losing a confidence vote in the country's parliament.

Manele ⁠lost the vote by a margin of 26 votes to ‌22, with two abstentions, ‌the speaker of the country's parliament, Patterson Oti, said.

"I hope as leaders, we will continue to work ​for the betterment of this country," Manele told lawmakers after the vote.

"It is important for ⁠both sides of the house to continue to work together to deliver ​goods and services for people going forward."

He will remain in position until he is ​removed by the Governor General, who ‌acts as a representative of the country's head of state, Britain's King Charles.

Located ⁠1,600 km (1,000 miles) northeast of Australia, the strategic importance of Solomon Islands has been in focus in recent ⁠years due to its strengthening ties with China. In 2022, it ​signed a security pact with China that prompted concern from the United States and South Pacific neighbours.

Manele's ouster stems from ‌a dozen government ministers defecting to the opposition in March. Manele then refused ‌to recall parliament, avoiding a confidence vote, but ⁠was later ordered to ‌do so by ​two courts.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln ‌Feast)

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