Michael is joined by Cleo Paskal, Senior fellow for the Indo-Pacific at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, to discuss Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s latest move described as an attempted coup against the people of Solomon Islands.

“Last week dignitaries, including US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, gathered for a dawn ceremony on Bloody Ridge in Solomon Islands to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of the brutal battle for Guadalcanal.”

“Sogavare didn’t bother turning up to the commemoration, but was in fact busy putting forward a bill to postpone the scheduled 2023 elections.”

“His excuse for postponing is the island country hosting next year’s Pacific Games and they don’t have the budget for both the games and an election. The proposed delay is very unpopular and will stir unrest with possible violence.  Alarm bells should be going off in Canberra.  The situation is dangerous.”

“It’s likely Sogavare and his backers in Beijing are hoping for more “unrest” so they can activate the China security deal.  That would provide an even stronger excuse to hold off on elections, (that Sogavare is likely to lose) for even longer.”

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