How a Political Walkout Backfired and Strengthened GNUT’s Grip on Power

by Ronald Toito’ona

The recent political upheaval that unfolded following the dramatic walkout of 10 Members of Parliament—including political heavyweights Manasseh Sogavare and Manasseh Maelanga—threw Solomon Islands into yet another wave of political uncertainty, triggering a second motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele within a single year. 

The attempted power play came dangerously close to toppling the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), testing the resolve of a coalition still in its infancy.

But just as the numbers appeared to turn against Manele, a last-minute twist reshaped the outcome: three Opposition and Independent MPs jumped ship, giving GNUT the majority it needed to survive. 

The second motion, by Central Honiara MP and former Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo failed—again—leaving Manele politically braver.

The Winners: PM Manele and His Lifeline MPs

Despite navigating two no confidence motions in less than a year, Prime Minister Manele remains in power, emerging as a resilient leader. 

His calm demeanour, coupled with his current team’s strategic negotiations, kept his coalition afloat at the very edge of collapse.

This was his message to the nation when celebrating one-year in office, ahead of last week’s motion.

“We approach it in the same spirit (just like the first no-confidence motion)—with calm determination, guided by our unwavering duty to work for the betterment of our people.”.

That resolve paid off. 

Just hours later, he announced the appointment of Daniel Waneoroa, MP for North Malaita, as the new Minister for Rural Development. 

Waneoroa, formerly an Independent MP, is the sole Umi For Change (U4C) Party member who won a seat in the 2024 National General Election.

He replaced South Guadalcanal MP, Rollen Seleso, who was part of those that walked out of the GNUT government. Seleso has since rejoined the government.

On Saturday 3 May 2025, Prime Minister Manele announced two new ministerial appointments: West Makira MP Derrick Manu’ari as Minister for Mines, and Central Kwara’ae MP Ricky Fuoo as Minister for Infrastructure Development (MID).

Manu’ari, a former Opposition MP from the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) under Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, replaces ex-Deputy PM and Mines Minister Bradley Tovosia. 

Tovosia’s resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Mines Minister was a strategic move to save GNUT from a deeper political crisis—by reducing tensions within the coalition and diffusing speculation of internal rivalry. 

His exit paved the way for a smoother realignment within the government, allowing new alliances to form and preventing a potential escalation that could have toppled the fragile coalition.

Fuoo, from the United Party (UP) led by Independent Group Leader Peter Kenilorea Jr., takes over from Manasseh Maelanga, a former key GNUT figure.

The three MPs who crossed the floor to join the GNUT were the biggest winners. As last minute defectors—they were the decisive force that flipped the script. 

Their move didn’t only rescue Manele’s coalition from collapse; it rewrote the balance of power within Parliament, instantly elevating them as political power brokers with newfound leverage.

Reflecting on the shift, during his one-year speech, Prime Minister Manele said GNUT’s doors are open and his government welcomes those who are committed to unity, especially young leaders. 

His message at the time was framed to move away from the old political plays and embrace new leadership that puts people first.

With their unexpected alliance, the three MPs’ decision making signals the start of a new political tide, rising within Solomon Islands leadership.

The Losers: Sogavare and Maelanga

Few would have predicted that former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare—once the political strongman of the Solomon Islands—would find himself on the opposition benches, alongside his former Deputy PM, Manasseh Maelanga.

Their resignations, along with that of several other MPs, triggered the crisis that nearly toppled the government. 

Sogavare and Maelanga have resigned from the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), citing growing frustration over internal instability and weak leadership under Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

Sogavare said the coalition “started on a very shaky ground” and accused Manele of ignoring serious concerns, especially regarding the conduct of former Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia. He blamed the Prime Minister’s “laissez-faire attitude” for the collapse of the government and stressed the decision to leave was not taken lightly.

Maelanga echoed the concerns, revealing that a formal petition against Tovosia—signed by nearly half the government MPs—was ignored. “We stayed quiet for some time, watching. But we could not stay silent any longer,” he said.

However, their move to the Opposition was a miscalculation, some commentators say. 

For Sogavare, who was not regarded as pivotal in forming GNUT after the 2024 elections, the move signals a sharp fall from influence. 

His departure has fractured the very alliance he was part of.

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Bradley Tovosia said he himself was instrumental in the formation of the GNUT government. In the formation of the government, Tovosia said Sogavare was not a happy man.

He wanted the Prime Minister’s post, but Our Party did not have the numbers to do so. It was SIPFP’s choice that Manele was the GNUT coalition’s candidate for Prime Minister.

Sogavare denied that his resignation and move to join the Opposition and Independent benches were motivated by a desire to become prime minister again.

However, it was later noted that Sogavare would be the Opposition’s candidate for the top job, if the motion was to succeed. That was the very reason that forced the three MPs to leave.

He also failed to sway the two Choiseul MPs to join him—unlike during his Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) days when he had their backing.

For east Malaita MP, Maelanga, the political cost may be even steeper. 

He was a long time Infrastructure Minister, under the Prime Ministership of Sogavare, and continued to hold on to the same portfolio under GNUT until his resignation.

The former member of the defunct Malaita Eagle Force was a powerful figure since his reign as a Member of Parliament in 2008 – as the east Malaita MP for the last 16 years.

Observers believe Maelanga may have overestimated Sogavare’s ability to regain control or underestimated the GNUT coalition’s resolve without their presence. 

Maybe, a possible misjudgement of the political mood – assuming that the breakaway bloc could trigger a realignment of power in their favor. 

In hindsight, Maelanga’s loyalty to Sogavare, possibly rooted in their long-standing political partnership, may have blinded him to shifting alliances and the growing clout of SIPFP under Manele. 

His gamble left him on the sidelines, while some of the MPs who resigned alongside him have since rejoined the GNUT government as backbenchers—compounding the perception that Maelanga bet on the wrong side of history.

Lessons and Reflections 

If one can learn something from the recent political situation, one thing is clear—Solomon Islands politics is changing. The days of untouchable strongmen are over.

PM Jeremiah Manele did survive two motions of no confidence. He held the line, kept his team together, and showed real leadership when it counted.

The three MPs who crossed the floor didn’t just save the government—they rewrote the script. Power isn’t just about numbers anymore. It’s about timing, guts, and knowing when to move.

Sogavare and Maelanga? Once giants are now on the opposite side, watching the game they used to control.

But don’t get too comfortable. The ones who lost this round will be back. Politics in Solomon Islands is never short of surprises.

For GNUT, it’s time to govern—and prove that all this drama was worth it.