by Georgina Maka’a
Solomon Islanders may soon see the formation of a new coalition government.
This follows the resignation of 10 government MPs — five ministers and five backbenchers — this afternoon.
The group is being led by Finance and Treasury Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is also the parliamentary wing leader of OUR Party.
Government House confirmed to In-depth Solomons that it had received 11 resignation letters this afternoon; however, one MP later revoked his decision.
The resigned MPs are:
- Manasseh Sogavare – Minister for Finance and Treasury
- Manasseh Maelanga – Minister of Infrastructure and Development
- Nestor Ghiro – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources
- Rollen Seleso – Minister of Rural Development
- Freda Tuki – Minister of Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs
- Claudius Tei’ifi – MP for West Kwaio
- Stanley Sofu – MP for East Kwaio
- William Marau – MP for Ulawa-Ugi
- James Bonuga – MP for Temotu Pele
- Lazarus Rima – MP for East Central Guadalcanal
In-depth Solomons has learned that Sogavare and his group are already in talks with the Opposition and Independent Group in Parliament.
The resignations follow weeks of speculation about a likely change of government.
This morning, Parliament failed to meet due to a lack of quorum. Sogavare also failed to attend the launch of the 2024 Central Bank Report, which he had been invited to officiate.
Insiders told In-depth Solomons that Sogavare and his group are dissatisfied with how the Jeremiah Manele-led Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is handling things.
In particular, they are unhappy with the “controlling behaviour” of Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Smokey Rodo Tovosia, who is also the Minister for Mines, Minerals and Energy.
Prime Minister Manele came into power following the April 2024 elections, and the PM’s election that followed.
Last December, he survived a no-confidence motion filed against him by Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo.
That motion was reportedly initiated by members of the People First Party — who are part of the current coalition.
However, on the day the motion was up for debate in Parliament, they held back, resulting in Lilo withdrawing it.
In-depth Solomons was informed by sources this afternoon that Lilo will soon file another motion of no-confidence against the current government.
If he does, the motion will be debated during the current Parliament session.