Manasseh Sogavare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manasseh Sogavare
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Sogavare in 2016
|
|
| Minister of Finance | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2024 |
|
| Prime Minister | Jeremiah Manele |
| Preceded by | Harry Kuma |
| In office 16 November 2017 – 15 November 2019 |
|
| Prime Minister | Rick Houenipwela |
| Preceded by | John Maneniaru |
| Succeeded by | Harry Kuma |
| In office 24 August 1997 – July 1998 |
|
| Prime Minister | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Preceded by | Michael Maina |
| Succeeded by | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Prime Minister of Solomon Islands | |
| In office 24 April 2019 – 2 May 2024 |
|
| Monarch | |
| Governor-General |
|
| Deputy | Manasseh Maelanga |
| Preceded by | Rick Houenipwela |
| Succeeded by | Jeremiah Manele |
| In office 9 December 2014 – 15 November 2017 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Frank Kabui |
| Preceded by | Gordon Darcy Lilo |
| Succeeded by | Rick Houenipwela |
| In office 4 May 2006 – 20 December 2007 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Nathaniel Waena |
| Preceded by | Snyder Rini |
| Succeeded by | Derek Sikua |
| In office 30 June 2000 – 17 December 2001 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | John Lapli |
| Preceded by | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Succeeded by | Allan Kemakeza |
|
|
| Assumed office 6 August 1997 |
|
| Preceded by | Allan Qurusu |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare
17 January 1955 Popondetta, Northern Province, Territory of Papua and New Guinea |
| Political party | OUR Party (2010; since 2019) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Spouse | Emmy Sogavare |
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare (born 17 January 1955) is a politician from the Solomon Islands. He is currently the Minister of Finance, a role he started in 2024. He has also served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands four times, for a total of nine years. He was prime minister from 2000–2001, 2006–2007, 2014–2017, and 2019–2024. Sogavare has been a member of the National Parliament for the East Choiseul constituency since 1997.
During his time as prime minister, the Solomon Islands faced some challenges and changes.
Early Life and Education
Manasseh Sogavare was born on 17 January 1955 in Popondetta, Papua New Guinea. His parents were missionaries from Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. He has four older brothers. Later, Manasseh and his brother Jacob moved to the Solomon Islands.
Political Journey
Starting in Government
Before becoming a politician, Sogavare worked in finance. He was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance from 1994 to 1996. He also served as the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, a director at the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, and chairman of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund.
He was first elected to the National Parliament on 6 August 1997. He represented the East Choiseul constituency.
Minister of Finance
In 1997, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu appointed Sogavare as the Minister of Finance and Treasury. However, he was removed from this job in July 1998. Sogavare was surprised and asked for a reason. Prime Minister Ulufa'alu later said it was to keep the government strong.
In August 1998, Sogavare stopped supporting Ulufa'alu's government. He felt Ulufa'alu was too controlling.
Leader of the Opposition
In September 1998, Sogavare became the deputy leader of the opposition. The leader was Solomon Mamaloni. After Mamaloni passed away in January 2000, Sogavare was chosen as the new leader of the opposition.
First Term as Prime Minister (2000–2001)
On 30 June 2000, Sogavare was elected prime minister by the parliament. He won with 23 votes against 21. This happened after the previous prime minister, Ulufa'alu, had to resign. Sogavare served as prime minister until 17 December 2001.
Out of Office (2001–2006)
In the 2001 Solomon Islands general election, Sogavare was re-elected to his seat in Parliament. His party won three seats in total. During this time, he was a member of the Bills and Legislation Committee in Parliament.
After the 2006 Solomon Islands general election, Sogavare worked with other politicians to try and replace Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza's chosen successor, Snyder Rini. On 18 April 2006, Sogavare received 11 votes for prime minister. He then supported Rini, who became prime minister. Sogavare joined the government as Minister for Commerce, Industries and Employment.
Second Term as Prime Minister (2006–2007)
After Rini resigned on 26 April 2006, Sogavare tried again to become prime minister. This time, many politicians who opposed the previous government supported him. On 4 May 2006, he won the parliamentary vote with 28 votes. He was sworn in right away. One of his main goals was to help the country recover from riots that had happened earlier.
In December 2007, Sogavare lost a vote of no confidence in parliament. He remained in charge until a new prime minister was elected on 20 December. Derek Sikua was chosen as the new prime minister. Sogavare then became the Leader of the Opposition.
Leader of the Opposition (2007–2014)
In 2010, Sogavare and eight other members of parliament started a new political group called the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party. This party won three seats in the 2010 Solomon Islands general election.
Third Term as Prime Minister (2014–2017)
After the 2014 Solomon Islands general election on 19 November, Sogavare became prime minister for the third time. In September 2017, he spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. He talked about global issues like missile testing and violence in certain regions.
On 7 November 2017, he faced another vote of no confidence. Some members of his own party voted against him. The lawmaker who proposed the vote said Sogavare was out of touch. Sogavare believed the votes were because of a new law against corruption. He remained acting prime minister until Rick Houenipwela was elected on 15 November 2017.
Fourth Term as Prime Minister (2019–2024)
.jpg)
After the 2019 Solomon Islands general election, Sogavare restarted his Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR). On 24 April 2019, he was elected prime minister again. There was some debate about this election because a court tried to delay the vote. However, the Governor General decided to proceed. After Sogavare's re-election, there were some protests in Honiara.
In September 2019, Sogavare's government decided to recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC). This meant they no longer recognized Republic of China, after 36 years. Sogavare said this decision was good for the Solomon Islands. This change caused a lot of discussion and some government ministers were replaced.
Malaita Province, a part of the Solomon Islands, continued to have ties with Taiwan and the United States. The leader of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani, even held a vote for independence in 2020, but the national government did not accept it.
In November 2021, there were riots in Honiara. Protesters, many from Malaita Province, burned buildings and looted parts of Chinatown. Sogavare refused to resign and said the rioters would "face consequences." He believed the riots were politically motivated.
Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji sent peacekeepers to help calm the situation after Sogavare's government asked for help.
On 6 December 2021, Sogavare survived another vote of no confidence in the National Parliament.
In 2022, Sogavare's government signed a security agreement with China.
The 2024 Solomon Islands general election was originally planned for 2023. However, parliament voted in 2022 to delay the elections. Sogavare said the country could not afford an election and also host the 2023 Pacific Games in the same year. The opposition disagreed, saying it was a way to stay in power longer.
In the 2024 elections, Sogavare's OUR party won the most seats. On 29 April, Sogavare announced he would step down as the leader of his party and would not seek another term as prime minister. His party then nominated Jeremiah Manele for prime minister, who took over from Sogavare.
Personal Life
Manasseh Sogavare is married to Emmy Sogavare. They have three children: Brandt, Shannon, and Maydrel. Emmy Sogavare owns a café.
As prime minister, Sogavare earned a salary of about 428,560 Solomon Islands dollars (around US$50,000).
Sogavare also holds a black belt in karate.
Religion
Sogavare is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He dedicated the Sogavare Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in memory of his father.
Images for kids
-
Sogavare in 2016
-
Sogavare meets with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in July 2016
-
Sogavare with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Manasseh Sogavare para niños
