Name? Manasseh Sogavare
Westphalian identity? Solomon Islander
Age? 67
Why is he in the news? Prime Minister Sogavare of the Solomon Islands has made quite an impact at the first U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington, D.C. the last two days. The Summit and the U.S.’ increased attention on the Pacific Island countries is largely due to Sogavare signing an expansive security agreement with China last March.
Why do we care? Last week at the UN, Sogavare vowed that his tiny island nation “will not be coerced into choosing sides.” Nevertheless, the president and his counterparts across Pacific Island countries are caught in between two superpowers and forced to balance their interests — showcasing the influence of every country and every leader.
Why should you care? Despite reports that Sogavare would not sign anything at the summit, presumably due to his ties with China, all visiting leaders, including himself, agreed to the 11-point statement put forward by Washington. Not only is this important as it signifies continued regional unity, but also because the broader region rejected a similar pact put forth by Beijing earlier this year. You should care 6/10 about the U.S.-China balancing act in the Pacific.
Who else cares? President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan cares as Pacific Island nations are some of the few countries who recognise and have relations with Taiwan. As Sogavare learned, abandoning allegiances with Taiwan for China is minimally supported by the public, which is emphasised by the region’s endorsing of the U.S. statement rather than the Chinese statement (good news for Ing-wen!).
Any further comments? Aside from the president’s attempts at sabotage, the Summit also highlighted a gap in mutual interests and strategic objectives. While the U.S. is focused on security and guaranteeing a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, the island nations and leaders like Sogavare are focused on the existential threat of climate change and what it will mean for their countries.
