Peter Kenilorea Jr.

Peter Kenilorea Jr. is a Solomon Islander politician. He is the son of Peter Kenilorea, and was elected to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands in 2019.

Early life and education

Peter Kenilorea Jr. was born around 1973.[1] His father Peter Kenilorea was the first Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands.[2] Kenilorea Jr. attended Su’u National Secondary School on Malaita, then transferred to Wesley College, Auckland, in New Zealand. Upon the completion of secondary education, Kenilorea Jr. pursued a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Waikato, followed by a Master of Laws in international law at the University of Nottingham.[3]

Career

Kenilorea began his legal career with Jennifer Corrin Barrister & Solicitor in 1994. He began working for the Attorney General of the Solomon Islands in 1996, and left his government position for the United Nations in 2000. Kenilorea held several roles at the UN, returning to the government of the Solomon Islands in 2017 as permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.[3] Kenilorea contested the 2019 general election on behalf of the United Party,[4][5] and was elected a member of parliament for East 'Are'are.[6] Supporters of Kenilorea's predecessor, Andrew Manepora'a, filed a petition against Kenilorea alleging corruption in May 2019.[6] In March 2020, the petition was dismissed.[7]

The United Party supported Kenilorea's candidacy for head of government,[8] an office won by Manasseh Sogavare. Soon after Sogavare's fourth cabinet took office, his government chose to end diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. Kenilorea sharply criticized the establishment of bilateral relations with the People's Republic of China.[9][10] He offered public support to John Maneniaru, who described the diplomatic switch as the government serving "new Chinese masters" in October 2019.[11] Through May 2020, Kenilorea petitioned for a change in leadership.[12] As the Solomon Islands government took action against the COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania, Kenilorea continued bringing attention to Taiwan's humanitarian aid.[13][14] He urged the government to serve Solomon Islanders,[15] and regularly questioned government efforts regarding COVID-19.[16][17]

References
  1. Packham, Ben (28 May 2019). "Solomons not prepared for pivot to China: MP". The Weekend Australian. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  2. "Date set for Solomons MPs to elect prime minister". Radio New Zealand. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  3. "Peter Kenilorea Jr Fills Permanent Secretary Position". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  4. "Kenilorea to run in Solomon Islands election". Radio New Zealand. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  5. "First time MP among Solomons prime ministerial candidates". Radio New Zealand. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  6. "Kenilorea Jr. Refutes Corruption Allegations". Solomon Times. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  7. "Kenilorea Wins Petition Case". Solomon Times. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  8. Gray, Caleb (16 April 2019). "Peter Kenilorea Jr. Nominated for Prime Minister". Solomon Times. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  9. Shih, Hsiu-chuan; Kao, Evelyn (22 September 2019). "Taiwan is a state: Solomon Islands parliamentary committee head". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  10. Cavanough, Edward (8 December 2019). "When China came calling: inside the Solomon Islands switch". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  11. "Kenilorea Junior: "China first, not Solomon first"". Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  12. "Enough Lobbying: DCGA Caucus". Solomon Times. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  13. "Rift over Solomon Islands' new 'One China' policy makes chaos of COVID-19 response". Global Voices. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  14. "Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime: Kenilorea". Solomon Times. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  15. "The Sovereignty of Solomon Islands Must be Preserved - Always". Solomon Times. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  16. "Kenilorea Questions Lockdown Intention". Solomon Star. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  17. "Kenilorea calls for clearer government COVID plan". Solomon Star. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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