From Transparency Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is set to find out how corrupt or clean its public sector is (government) on 10 February 2026 when Transparency International releases the 2025 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) globally.
The CPI score is a measure of how clean or corrupt the Machinery of Government is or the public sector (a zero score is very corrupt and 100 very clean).
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) considers this measure a critical test of the country’s commitment to integrity, accountability, credible governance and democracy.
It is a time when citizens will find out if those, we entrust power to, are principled leaders, exercising people’s power for the common good of country and people or otherwise.
How well or bad we score in the CPI is an indication of how those in power have used the power given them.
Are they abusing and using it for their own benefit (corruption) exercising it for themselves and their cronies or for the common good.
More importantly are those paid by taxpayers practice Inclusive Governance as stressed by our Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in his inaugural speech, “that his government would represent the needs of all Solomon Islanders and ensure their protection by fostering unity, peace, and stability”.
He pledged to serve inclusively, safeguard citizens from the scars of past election-related violence, and build a government that prioritizes people’s welfare and security or for own benefit.
His key points on representing people are:
- Inclusive Governance: Prime Minister Manele stressed that the Government of National Unity and Transformation would serve all citizens regardless of political affiliation or background.
- Inclusive Governance: Manele stressed that the Government for National Unity and Transformation would serve all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or background.
- Listening to the People: He acknowledged that “the people have spoken” through the elections, and his administration’s legitimacy comes from their voice.
- Policy Commitment: He promised a 100-day program to address pressing needs, signaling immediate action on development, reforms, and social services.
- Peace and Stability:
In his 100-day program he prioritised and delivered on the review and launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
He is no doubt aware that corruption in the Machinery of Government and the private sector (1) fuels/create social disorder by diverting funds from public goods towards private interests, (2) shapes opportunities for conflicts by providing incentives for the corrupt to influence and control executive governments as well as preventing institutions of integrity and law enforcement institutions to detect and contain threatens and (3) threatens democracy and durable peace by undermining the public’s trust in the state’s capacity/willingness to enforce Anti-Corruption legislation, all of which can cause violent social disorder.
It is a time that we the citizen get a picture of how Machinery of Government and those empowered to exercise these powers have supported the Prime Minister who paid importance to fighting corruption and who in his inaugural speech paid importance to the plight of people.
We witnessed most recent some of the unprincipled decisions being influenced by those in power to delay the implementation of the Anti-Corruption legislation.
The CPI is not a verdict on a single administration, nor is it a reaction to one isolated event.
It is a cumulative reflection of how power is exercised over time and whether public institutions act independently, whether decisions are made transparently, and whether accountability mechanisms are trusted to serve the public interest rather than political or personal considerations of those in power.
From the print media, social media, citizens, witnesses and victims of corruption as Solomon Islands enters the CPI release period, persistent governance challenges continued to be ignored ignored by those empowered to act. Executive Government, the Official Opposition, Institutions of Integrity, Independent Group and people of Solomon Islands are all responsible to hold power to account but only those empowered by the law can hold them to account.
The credibility and integrity of public institutions remain a central concern. Anti-corruption bodies and oversight institutions are only as effective as the systems that sustain them.
Prolonged leadership vacancies, as experienced by the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), creates administrative uncertainty.
The inconsistent unprincipled decision-making weakens these institutions and erodes confidence in their ability to operate independently and decisively. Integrity cannot be upheld where institutions are left constrained, uncertain, or leaderless.
Equally concerning is the selective and lack of professional and accountability in public decision-making.
When significant decisions affecting governance institutions are taken without clear, lawful, and publicly understood explanations, trust deteriorates. Independence must never be used as a shield against transparency. In a democratic system, independence and accountability must operate together.
The CPI also reflects a broader understanding of corruption which extends beyond bribery.
It captures perceptions of political influence, favouritism, weak or selective enforcement, and the gap between policy commitments and implementation and real-world outcomes.
While Solomon Islands has adopted important frameworks, including a National Anti-Corruption Strategy, these commitments carry little weight without consistent enforcement and visible results.
At the community level, the consequences of weak governance are felt most sharply especially with the negative and devastating impact of unmonitored and illegal mining activities on their environment, means of income generating and source of clean water etc.
Accountability failures in not holding power to account for corrupt conduct and practices affect service delivery, access to opportunities, confidence and trust public institutions leadership.
The everyday experiences of these corrupt acts and conduct continue to shape public, and private perception far more powerfully than policy statements or declarations.
It mars the good work of the few in power who are doing their best and have a heart for Solomon Islands, its people and resources.
It results in the good intention of the Prime Minister not being implemented.
TSI stresses that the CPI should be viewed as a mirror or a diagnostic tool, to inspire and motivate government and people to protect democracy through good governance and not as a political weapon.
Attempts to dismiss the index as “perception-based” or to respond defensively risk reinforcing the very concerns the CPI reflects.
Meaningful progress requires honest assessment, institutional strengthening, and sustained reform, not deflection.
As we approach the release date of CPI, Transparency Solomon Islands calls for:
- a firm and demonstrable commitment to strengthen the independence, leadership, and effectiveness of integrity institutions; in particular the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption.
- Implementation of our commitment to UNCAC and Teieniwa Vision and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
- transparent, lawful, consistent and publicly transparent and principled accountable decision-making across government; and
- concrete action to close the gap between anti-corruption commitments and outcomes experienced by citizens.
Irrespective of Solomon Islands CPI Score and ranking 2025, the true measure of progress in our fight against corruption, will be whether Solomon Islands uses this CPI Score to confront governance weaknesses directly, restore public trust, and reinforce systems that place the public interest above all else.
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