Going upstream

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LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour.

The Solomon Islands may be headed in a new direction after a recent change in its government. The country’s rich resources and its strategic location in the South Pacific have meant increased interest in the country, and that affects its politics.

NICK EICHER, HOST: Since it gained independence 48 years ago, only two prime ministers have managed to complete their 2-year parliamentary term. In May, Matthew Wale became the new prime minister. WORLD correspondent Amy Lewis has our report.

AMY LEWIS: The country has endured years of unrest and political turmoil. Parliamentarians often change parties and allegiances. In 2019, the country switched diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China and welcomed China’s investment dollars, security, and involvement in the exportation of vital resources. In 2022, a former prime minister negotiated a secret security pact with China, and it’s still in effect.

But in April of this year, the island nation’s government experienced big shake-ups.

Incumbent Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele lost most of his support when 19 members of parliament defected and many of his ministers resigned.

Matthew Wale’s coalition took the parliamentary majority from Manele. A subsequent vote of “no confidence” removed Manele from office. A week later, Democratic Party member Wale was elected as prime minister.

WALE: We want to do as much as we possibly can…But I promise you, change is coming.

Past elections often erupted in riots. This time was different. Regina Lepping is a member of Wale’s Democratic Party. She was at Parliament House when Wale’s win was announced.

LEPPING: The town is just down the hill, so you can hear the cheers. They were honking the truck, and it was just powerful, like people really wanted it.

Just weeks into his term Wale has already targeted resource exploitation in fishing, logging, and mining companies.

WALE: I have terminated some people. I will terminate some more, too….

Like the forestry commissioner.

WALE: The economy, believe me, has been mismanaged for so long. You know those loggers. They’ve been raping and pillaging our country for so long. Not anymore.

Two weeks ago, Wale’s finance minister terminated tax exemptions for these companies.

Lepping says good leadership isn’t only about what you accomplish. It’s also how you do it.

LEPPING: When he came out of the parliament house as Prime Minister, the first one he shook hands with was the security guard who opened the door for him.

Lepping says Wale is a people person and one of the people. When he holds a press conference, he speaks in a mix of English and Pijin, the language of the Solomon Islands.

WALE: Everyone must work. [Pijin]

Traditionally, people defer to elderly Solomon Islanders to make decisions about the direction of the country. But 70 percent of the country’s population is under the age of 30. Wale takes that into consideration.

LEPPING: When it’s issues affecting the young people, he will ask directly the young people.

Lepping says one of the deeper needs Wale will need to address is the normalization of corruption.

LEPPING: When I wanted to get things done, I have to pay extra for it in order to get a normal work done. But then everyone is used to it now.

Wale is also taking steps to improve foreign relations. In late May, he signed a new investment incentive with the United States. In mid-June, Wale made his first foreign visit. He and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for a new Pacific-wide treaty.

ALBANESE: We want Australia to be the security partner of choice.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Wale will cut ties with China. The security pact his predecessors signed with one of their nearest neighbors is complex.

WALE: I’ve been praying and fasting about it, but of course, Cabinet will need to have a look at these things.

The challenges facing Wale and the Solomon Islands are bigger than one man can face alone. On the steps of Parliament House, Wale closed his acceptance speech by praying an ancient prayer.

WALE: It is appropriate as it is necessary that I conclude with the prayer of King Solomon of old: ‘So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’

Regina Lepping says the prime minister’s humility and plans for the country encourage her.

LEPPING: I see hope for our women, I see hope for our youth, I see hope that we can actually have change.

Wale plans to reform the logging, fishing, and mining industries to increase government revenue and bring the country more independence—and affordable education.

That’s this week’s World Tour. I’m Amy Lewis.

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