Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale says there will be “no more secrecy” over agreements that bind the nation, as the government begins a review of the country’s 2022 security agreement with China.
Wale announced the review in Parliament while delivering his closing address in Parliament last Friday, calling on Opposition leader to support the process.
He said the review is based on the principles of transparency to Parliament and accountability to the people of Solomon Islands.
Wale revealed that he was only allowed to read the 2022 agreement one day before an official meeting in Canberra in May this year.
“That must never happen again,” the Prime Minister told Parliament.
He called on the leader of the Opposition and Parliament to support the review and the principle that no treaty should stand without the informed consent of Parliament.
“If that is the standard, then it must apply to every agreement this country has signed and not just some,” he said.
Wale said the issue goes beyond politics and is directly linked to national sovereignty.
He said sovereignty does not belong to the Government of the day but to the people of Solomon Islands and is expressed through Parliament.
“That principle was true in 2022. It is true today. And under this Government, it will be practised not just spoken about,” Wale said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Solomon Islands remains “friends to all and enemies to none,” but said secrecy over national agreements would no longer be accepted.
“On the instruments that bind this nation, there will be no more secrecy. This House and through it our people, must always be fully informed,” he said.
Wale said the review will seek to ensure that security agreements are transparent, accountable and aligned with the national interest.
