by Georgina Maka’a
Embattled Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says he still has six ministerial vacancies to fill following a mass exodus of 12 ministers and seven backbenchers, leaving him at the helm of a minority government.
This afternoon, Manele welcomed back Manasseh Sogavare, his former Finance Minister.
Sogavare led a similar political defection in May last year in an unsuccessful attempt to oust Manele from the top job.
Sogavare now serves as Manele’s Deputy Prime Minister and the new Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination.
He replaces Trevor Manemahaga, who returns to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management, a portfolio he previously held.
Manele also welcomed back Central Makira MP Nestor Giro, who was sworn in as the new Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.
Giro replaces Franklyn Derek Wasi, one of the 12 ministers who defected to the Opposition. Giro, a member of OUR Party and a GNUT backbencher until today, previously held the Fisheries portfolio but lost it when he joined Sogavare in last year’s mass resignation.
Additionally, Manele appointed West Kwara’ae MP Alfred Tuasulia as the new Minister for Communication and Aviation.
Tuasulia, formerly a GNUT backbencher, replaces Frederick Kologeto, who led this week’s defection.
On Monday, Manele filled two other vacant positions, appointing Temotu Vatud MP Freda Tukia as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, and West Guadalcanal MP Mary Daniella Garu as Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
“With six ministerial portfolios remaining, further swearing-in ceremonies are expected as the Government for National Unity and Transformation continues to finalize its executive team,” Manele said in a statement.
“These appointments are a vital step in ensuring we remain on track to complete the work of the 12th Parliament,” he added.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence in the new ministers’ commitment to the government’s 2026 national goals, noting that their leadership ensures the Cabinet remains functional and focused.
Meanwhile, the defected government members are now with the Opposition and Independent groupings.
They claimed 28 MPs.
Twenty seven of them took a photo shoot on Monday, without MP Franklyn Wasi, who had also resigned but still overseas.
The group has also signed a new coalition agreement and filed a motion of no confidence against Manele.
“When such a significant number of sitting members, including ministers, abandon their own coalition, it signals a government in serious crisis,” a statement the group issued said.
The statement said these decisions are not made lightly.
“They reflect deep frustrations over internal divisions, lack of trust, and growing concerns that the government has lost its sense of direction and purpose.
“This mass exodus raises urgent constitutional and governance questions.
“Can a government that has lost the confidence of 19 of its own members continue to claim legitimacy? Can it effectively govern while grappling with internal collapse?
“What is unfolding is not just a reshuffling of numbers; it is a rejection of leadership that has failed to unite, failed to listen, and failed to deliver,” the group said.
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