TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A Taiwanese shipowner on Saturday (April 27) offered to help evacuate compatriots from the Solomon Islands should they request so following protests against the choice of a new prime minister.

The islands are one of Taiwan’s 17 official diplomatic allies, but conflict broke out after parliament selected Manasseh Sogavare as the new prime minister on April 14, following undecisive parliamentary elections on April 3.

Chi Tien-yi (紀添議) told the Central News Agency Saturday he had a fishing trawler, the San Zai Fa No.15, being repaired in the Solomon Islands’ capital of Honiara. The ship might be allowed to leave port after April 30, when it could take Taiwanese citizens out of the country, the owner said.

According to Chi, his ship, registered in Donggang, Pingtung County, entered harbor on April 24 but could not leave until after a court ruling on the validity of the selection of the prime minister. Until after the ruling, scheduled for April 30, all government departments had become inactive and leaving port would not be possible, CNA reported.

More than 20 other Taiwanese vessels were believed to be located close to the Solomon Islands, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Saturday it had received no requests from Taiwanese citizens wishing to be evacuated from the ally.