Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made no secret of his preferred PNG counterpart after the upcoming PNG elections.
Speaking to a daily Newspaper in Papua New Guinea Mr Sogavare stated that he would want to see the Grand Chief return. "Sir Michael Somare would also continue to chart the direction for Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in his capacity as the chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group" Sogavare said. "Right now, all eyes are on Papua New Guinea and the result of the elections will be crucial not only for PNG, but also for the leadership of Melanesian countries"Mr Sogavare also stated that he holds PNG with great regard as it is his country of birth. "I am a Papua New Guinean by birth after being born in the Oro province and I am very much in tune with what's happening here" said Sogavare. "That's why I would have to make a State visit to PNG probably immediately after the formation of the new government to meet with whoever is the new prime minister to discuss Melanesian solidarity and important bilateral issues between our two countries".
After a one-week official visit to Taiwan, Mr Sogavare spent Saturday in Port Moresby during which he attended a church service at the Sogavare Memorial SDA church at Gerehu with his wife Emmy, reuniting with his family and the Solomon Islands community including Solomon Islands students at UPNG Waigani and Taurama campuses, and the Pacific Adventist University (PAU).