Transparency Solomon Islands reminds and urges Members of Parliament that regardless of which side you are affiliated with, the people of Solomon Islands do not deserve the continuous and recurring political upheavals especially when these are based on numbers game and not substantive issue over policies.
They need improved and quality services, economic policies that does not disadvantage them.
In the absence of any transparency, it is difficult to know in whose interest is this on-going “motions of no confidence” are for and for what.
It is common knowledge that the people of Solomon Islands would like to see an end to these continuous numbers game played by their elected members of parliament.
They would rather see an Executive Government that has the guts, brave enough, responsible, transparent, accountable and has the heart to put a stop to the “grass-hopping”.
They are demanding an Executive Government, that prioritizes the tabling of the amendments to (1) the Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo’s Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, (2) the amendment to s8 of the Constitution to nullify the existence of the Independent Group as demanded by the people, and (3) inclusion of Referendum in our Constitution per nationwide consultation following the 2014 National General Election.
Soon Solomon Islands will celebrate our 50 years of being an independent country and our representatives are still “grasshopping”.
These continuous political upheavals have not brought about growth and improvements that we should be seeing. So far only two Executive Governments have completed their full term.
This means parliament terms are unproductive or not performing because of the “grasshopping” business.
Table1. Prime Ministers since Independence
| Prime Minister | Years in Office | Completed (4yrs) | Notes |
| Peter Kenilorea (snr) | 1978-1981, 1984-1986 | X | Did not complete full term |
| Solomon Mamaloni | 1981–1984, 1989–1993, 1994–1997 | X | Served multiple times but none lasted full 4 year |
| Francis Billy Hilly | 1993-1994 | X | Short tenure 1year 5 months. |
| Bartholomeu Ulufa’alu | 1997–2000 | X | Removed during ethnic tension. |
| Allan Kemakeza | 2001–2006 | Yes (2001-2006) | Completed full 4-year term |
| Manasseh Sogavare | 2000–2001, 2006–2007, 2014–2017, 2019–2024 | Yes (2019-2024) | Completed one full 4-year term |
| Derek Sikua | 2007-2010 | X | Did not complete full 4-year term |
| Gordon Darcy Lilo | 2011–2014 | X | Served till election but not full 4 years. |
| Synder Rini | 20th April 2006 to 4th May 2006 | X | Shortest term Prime Minister (only 2 weeks) |
Whilst Transparency Solomon Islands acknowledges that the National Parliament of Solomon Islands is the Supreme Legislative body of Solomon Islands and is accountable to the people, through democratic elections and oversight mechanisms, its core responsibilities include Law-Making, Financial Control, Representation, and holding the Executive Government Accountable.
It is of concern that there continues to be no transparency with regard to why ‘motion of no confidence” and the reasons for it other than that of “numbers game”.
This of course will be the third time that a “motion of no confidence” is being raised against the Executive Government of Jeremiah. Manele (the Prime Minister).
As can be seen there are many important roles of the Parliament such as that of oversight of the Executive Government; where the parliament is mandated with monitoring government ministries, policies, and spending to prevent the misuse of power and resources, a function that is exercised through Committees, debates, and questioning ministers.
In finances, the successive and current Auditor Generals have produced Reports that show the extent of the misuse and abuse of public funds but very little debate takes place to address this corrupt conduct that denies citizens the services they need delivered by the representatives they entrust their powers to.
Instead “motions of no confidence” seem to be more important to current members of parliament that in the absence of Transparency could not be said to be in the interest of the people of Solomon Islands social and economic needs.
Transparency Solomon Islands reminds Members of Parliament regardless which side they are affiliated with or to you are directly accountable to citizens and constituencies that elected you, so why lock yourselves up in hotel where your voters cannot have access to you, to seek reasons for your action.
You beg them to vote for you but now lock yourselves away? Where is transparency and democracy and why lack of transparency.
With none to little information being made public the people who elect you are in the dark as to what this is all about.
They wonder who is meeting the bill of the hotel, whether or not you have sold their birthright as you fight over the numbers game.
As citizens we Solomon Islanders should be gravely concerned about these continued and recurring Political Instability that the Members of Parliament are subjecting our country to.
Since his election as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Hon Jeremiah Manele has faced repeated no-confidence motions.
A reflection of a fragile parliamentary support, but for what. Whilst this is not the first time that Prime Ministers have faced no-confidence motions, what concerns Transparency Solomon Islands and citizens at large should be the fact that these sporadic political crises are not triggered by any policy disputes but parliamentary maneuvering.
As such it could not be said that this political upheaval cannot be said to be in the interest of people and country Solomon Islands.
Parliaments regardless of its legislative powers and representative features, it is above all the debating chamber; the forum in which policies and political issues are to be openly discussed and scrutinized.
A chamber to examined the reforms that needs to Such amendments to the Political Party Integrity Act 2014 would go a long way to minimizing the drivers of “motions of no confidence”.
There are far too many parties adding to the numbers game or and requiring the courts to sit to decide on which authority should convene the parliament etc.
What then are the main drivers of the current political instability. In the absence of information, lack of transparency and no explanation, Transparency Solomon Islands attributes the following as the drivers that continue to triggers political upheaval.
1. Parliamentary Volatility
Members of Parliament frequently grass-hop whereby they resign, cross the floor, or change their allegiances creating sudden confusions, disorder and upheavals.
This is a cycle that repeats itself multiple times within a singles parliamentary term leaving governance unstable and citizens confused about what this is all about and in whose interest.
For this present Executive Government this is the third time in less than two years since coming into power.
This means very little time is spent in debating the various legislative reforms that needed to be passed by parliament such as the amendment of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 (the Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo government passed Act).
The country has spoken especially with regard to changes to the Constitution, and amendment of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 to address issues observed in 2014, 2019 and 2024 National General Elections.
This was in the interest of developing and growing our political party system and to bring about political stability.
The Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 (PPIA Act 2014) was intended to bring about political stability.
For it to do that for the good of the country it needs to be amended.
In its current provision it is being abused and misused for agendas that are not explained to the citizens of Solomon Islands.
Through these frequent political upheavals Solomon Islands Members of Parliament regardless of which side they sit cannot claim that they are responsible and effective government nor can they claim that they are a government that is answerable or accountable to an elected parliament and through it to the people.
The Machinery of Government has three Arms, the Legislature (50 MPs), the Executive Government (Prime Minister & Cabinet Ministers etc.) and the Judiciary.
2. Economic Pressures
Rising cost of living, none to grim economic growth remain the most pressing challenge for the country.
In the 2026 budget speech the then Minister of Finance Hon. Ramofafia emphasized “accelerating economic transformation,”.
Whilst this sounded great in paper and in speeches the Executive Government’s reliance on donor support and weak domestic revenue compounded by the misuse and abuse of public funds by people holding official power continued to strain stability.
Instead of addressing these challenges, they have switched allegiance, making it almost impossible for time to be given to debates that would look for solutions to these challenges.
As citizens demand a more responsive governance, high costs of living, weak economic growth spells out just how fragile our economy is, all of which intensifying instability.
But this is not the reason for this political impasse it seems. The response expected by the people is most certainly not “motions of no confidence” but a debate on appropriate policies and programs.
If it is going to be a no-confidence vote, then be transparent with the people and share with them the why than the “numbers game”.
The question is when will our representatives ever change.
When will they put common good first and when are we the people of Solomon Islands going to stand up and say no to this way of exercising our power by those we elect to represent us and make decision on our behalf.
3. Geo-political Tensions
The Solomon Islands security cooperation with China including police training and equipment has raised concerns among other development partners of Solomon Islands.
The hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in 2025 highlighted the balancing act between great-power rivalry and Pacific-led agendas.
It is common knowledge that engagement with China has heightened regional security concerns, making domestic politics a focal point of international attention.
4. Leadership Challenges
Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele has faced repeated no-confidence motions reflecting fragile parliamentary support.
It is also important to mention that the death of politician Daniel Suidani in 2025 removed a vocal critic of China’s influence. Not only that but has the effect of deepening political divisions.
5. Public Disillusionment
The people of Solomon Islands see political upheaval as not in their interest due to lack of explanations or accountability from those exercising their entrusted power.
The people’s trust in public institutions erodes fueling frustration with the political class.
Members of Parliament are well capable of addressing and resolving the drivers of these political commotions through the parliament if they so wish or committed to doing right by the people of Solomon Islands.
Transparency Solomon Islands urges the members of parliament to consider what these frequent and recurring upheaval does to the ordinary people of Solomon Islands.
The main trigger of political instability and upheaval causing Solomon Islands as a country to experience episodic political crisis is nothing more than parliamentary maneuvering (numbers game).
It is not about policy nor is it in the best interest of Solomon Islands nor policy.
Which side you end up (Executive Government or Opposition), Transparency Solomon Islands urges Members of Parliament to table the amendment to the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, the Constitution (independent Group & Referendum), pass the Freedom of Information Bill and change the electoral system.
These are what would bring about Political Stability, stability that would ensure, there is Panadol in the clinics and hospitals, money for socio-economic infrastructures in the provinces to grow the economy.
Spend time and effort to strengthen oversight mechanisms and accountability structures that have remain underdeveloped, for such allows instability to persist without resolution (institutional Weakness).
It would be naïve of Solomon Islanders not to acknowledge that Solomon Islands’ political instability is a blend of internal parliamentary maneuvering, external geopolitical pressures and economic fragility.
Lastly greater transparency, stronger accountability mechanisms and inclusive dialogue to stabilize government can contribute to resolving these issues. transparency, stronger.
Timeline of Instability
2019
- Solomon Islands switches diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China
- Sparks political divisions, with some provinces (notably Malaita under Premier Daniel Suidani) opposing the move
2021
- Riots in Honiara target Chinatown and government buildings, fueled by anger over the China switch and economic hardship.
- Australia deploys security forces under bi-lateral security treaty
2022
- Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare delays national elections until after the 2023 Pacific Games citing logistical needs
- Opposition and Civil society criticize the move as undemocratic
2023
- Pacific Games hosted in Honiara with heavy Chinese police support
- Concern grow about China’s deepening role in internal security
2024
- Jeremiah Manele becomes Prime Minister of Solomon Islands after the elections
- Faces repeated no-confidence motions in Parliament reflecting fragile coalitions
- Death of Daniel Suidani, a vocal critic of China, removes a key opposition figure but deepens divisions
- Hosting of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting highlights Solomon Islands geopolitical balancing act
2026
- Parliament remains volatile, with Members of Parliament crossing the floor and reshuffling allegiances
- Economic pressures (weak growth, high cost of living), public frustrations
- From Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI)
