“I will discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I will at all times put the interests of our people and country above all other interests.”

He urged against any post-election violence.

“Past prime minister’s elections have been met with the act of violence and destruction. Our economy and livelihoods have suffered because of this violence.

“However, today we show the world that we are better than that. We must respect and uphold the democratic process of electing our prime minister and set an example for our children and their children,” he added.

Manele’s OUR party, which has pledged to build more infrastructure, won 15 seats, and gained four seats under a renewed coalition with two micro parties. It needed support from independents to reach 26 seats for a majority in the 50-seat house. A total of 49 votes were cast with one MP absent.

Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in Solomon Islands, said Manele has “a strong track record of working well with all international partners”, compared to Sogavare who was “a polarising figure”.

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Australian National University’s Pacific expert Graeme Smith said Manele was capable and “a big change in style” for Solomon Islands.

Wale, in a 20-seat coalition of opposition parties called CARE, said on Wednesday the government had failed to create jobs and the economy was dominated by logging and mining companies which shipped resources to China, while health clinics were unable to obtain basic medications such as paracetamol.