Guadalcanal Province Premier Willie Atu has reaffirmed that the province’s long-standing demand for a federal system of government remains firm, rejecting suggestions that the aspiration is losing momentum.
In a statement issued on 11 February 2026, the Premier’s Office said the push for federalism is “non-negotiable” and reflects the will of Guadalcanal people expressed consistently since 1978.
The statement comes in response to recent remarks by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele suggesting the demand may be fading.
“The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is mandated and obligated to pursue our people’s aspirations,” the statement said, adding that the province stands in solidarity with Western Province leaders who have also reaffirmed calls for federal governance.
The provincial government argued that federalism was part of agreements underpinning national reconciliation, including the Townsville Peace Agreement (2000) and the Buala Communique (2000), as well as subsequent nationwide constitutional consultations.
It described these commitments as guiding the country’s path toward peaceful coexistence.
Statehood Timeline and Legislative Debate
Guadalcanal leaders noted that the province has repeatedly communicated its position through dialogue with national authorities. During discussions in November 2022, the then Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare accepted the province’s demand for statehood by August 2026, the statement said.
This was followed by circulation of the Final Draft Constitution and the tabling of the Constituent Assembly Bill 2023.
However, the bill failed to pass in Parliament in December 2024 — a development the Premier’s Office attributed to the current Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), under Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, accusing it of lacking commitment to advancing the vision.
The statement further stressed that grievances linked to governance arrangements had been central to tensions that led to the conflict period between 1998 and 2003, while emphasizing that the current provincial administration remains committed to peace, national development, and public welfare.
Provincial Autonomy and Revenue Sharing
The Premier’s Office also clarified the provincial stance on governance reforms discussed at the 2023 Premiers’ Conference in Gizo, Western Province. According to the statement, premiers did not call for a full review of the Provincial Government Act 1997 but instead supported targeted amendments under Section 26.
These proposed changes include introducing revenue-sharing arrangements reflecting each province’s economic contribution, devolving legislative functions to provincial assemblies, and ensuring national support as provinces prepare for eventual statehood.
Concerns were also raised about the Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill 2025. Provincial leaders reportedly rejected provisions introduced during an August 2025 workshop, particularly clauses relating to the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF). A joint response submitted in September 2025 called for invoking Section 26(2) of the Act rather than pursuing what the premiers described as “quick fixes”.
The statement criticised the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) for failing to respond to these concerns, saying the lack of engagement had prompted provincial leaders to seek direct discussions with the Prime Minister in January this year.
Call to Re-Table Federal Bill
Guadalcanal Province reiterated its commitment to federalism, pointing to earlier initiatives such as the Draft Federal Constitution of 2018, the Constituent Assembly Bill 2023, and ongoing cost-benefit analyses.
Despite the bill’s defeat, the province called on the Prime Minister to re-table it in Parliament during the first quarter of 2026 to allow further deliberation.
The Premier’s Office described the path toward federalism as deliberate and irreversible, stating that Guadalcanal — alongside other provinces — is working toward achieving statehood by 2028.
“Federalism is therefore not a fading dream. It is our people’s demand and vision,” the statement said, while affirming commitment to a stronger, accountable, and united Solomon Islands.
