by Georgina Maka’a
A new coalition has been proposed to lead the government following the resignation of 12 ministers and a mass walk-out of several backbenchers.
This move comes after the People First Party (PFP) severed its coalition agreement with OUR Party and the Kadere Party on Sunday night.
The proposed coalition features a partnership between PFP, the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), the United Party (UP), the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), and the Umi for Change (U4C) Party.
Registrar of Political Parties, Glinson Galo, told In-Depth Solomons that PFP revoked its partnership pursuant to Section 54, subsections (3) and (4) of the Political Parties Integrity Act (PPIA).
“Accordingly, the 30-day notice requirement under Section 54(2) of the Act does not apply in circumstances where the majority of MPs within PFP have agreed to rescind the coalition agreement,” Galo explained.
Galo noted that the new coalition has been tentatively proposed and lodged with the Registrar.
“This proposed coalition brings the parties together to facilitate consultations and lobbying, and to accommodate any further resignations or realignments that may arise from other political parties,” he said.
“These events indicate a significant shift within existing arrangements, with 12 PFP Members of Parliament withdrawing their support effective 15th March 2026.”
With the withdrawal of PFP, the current Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is left with only OUR Party and the Kadere Party.
Galo added that the Official Independent Group – comprising Manasseh Sogavare, Manasseh Maelanga, and David Gina – has also been engaged, though their position remains unclear.
The exodus continued this evening as senior OUR Party member and Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter Shanel Agovaka, tendered his resignation to Government House just hours after returning from overseas.
Rawcliff Ziza, Private Secretary to the Governor General, confirmed to In-Depth Solomons that the resignation letter had been received.
Earlier today, Government House also received the resignation of Infrastructure Minister Rick Fuo’o.
The mass departure follows weeks of political wrangling within GNUT, which took office after the 2024 national elections.
Dr Paul Bosawai, the PFP Deputy Parliamentary Wing Leader and former Health Minister, told Tavuli News that the level of mistrust within the GNUT coalition had become untenable.
Bosawai stated that the “final straw” was Prime Minister Manele’s recent removal of two PFP members from their ministerial positions.
In their collective resignation letters, the ministers declared they no longer have confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.
In-Depth Solomons understands the resigned group intends to petition the Governor General to call for an immediate resumption of Parliament.
While Parliament sessions are typically called by the Prime Minister, Section 72 of the Constitution identifies the Governor General as the sole authority for appointing the time and place for sessions.
While the Governor General usually acts on the advice of the Prime Minister, in cases of constitutional necessity – such as when a government’s majority is in question – the Governor General may appoint a meeting time after consultation.
