Sogavare voted in as new Solomon Islands PM for the fourth time.

Manasseh Sogavare has been voted in as the new prime minister of Solomon Islands for the fourth time.

However, it was shrouded in controversy as 15 MPs abstained from voting.

Radio NZ reports Sogavare was voted into power this afternoon at Parliament House in Honiara, polling 34 votes over his rival Matthew Wale in the 50 seat Parliament.

This will be Sogavare's fourth prime ministership, his previous stints being in 2000, 2006 and most recently in 2014.

Two out of his last three terms as prime minister were cut short by no‑confidence motions.

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