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Solomon Islands PM Manele Calls For Calm Ahead Of No-confidence Vote
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has bought himself a little more time after the Solomon Islands parliament was adjourned until next Tuesday for a vote of no confidence against his government.
On Monday, parliament adjourned due to a lack of quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs were present in the House.
Later in the day, clerk of parliament Jefferson Hallu confirmed that Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo submitted no-confidence a motion against the Prime Minsiter.
This is the second time Lilo has filed a no-confidence motion against Manele, after withdrawing the previous one in December due to lack of support.
On Tuesday, Speaker Sir Patterson Oti informed parliament that a special motion of adjournment had to be moved, as the motion no confidence is a matter of public urgency, according to the standing orders.
Opposition leader Matthew Wale said Manele should step down immediately instead of dealing with the motion.
However, Sir Patterson said, "The Prime Minister is still Prime Minister until he is out of the office."
On the floor of parliament, Manele said the no-confidence motion had been noticed and "it is important that we deal with this".
"I think there is some sense of urgency given to the current situation," he said.
"On that note, as Prime Minister, I would like to appeal to the good people of Solomon Islands, including [those] Honiara, to remain calm and respect the democratic process that will be underway, including on Tuesday 6 May, when the motion of no confidence is moved.
"I will not step down before that date," he added.
Parliament is now adjourned until 6 May.
Manele, 57, a former Foreign Minister, was elected as Prime Minister on 2 May 2024, succeeding Manasseh Sogavare.
His administration, which calls itself the Government of National Unity (GNUT), is made up of three political parties, comanding the support of 28 MPs.
However, local media are reporting that the formation of a new coalition is on the cards following mass resignations.
According to In-depth Solomon, 10 government MPs - five ministers, including Sogavare, and five backbenchers - resigned on Monday afternoon.
The news outlet reports that Sogavare, who was Manele's Finance Minister, is leading those who have deserted GNUT and is already in talks with the opposition MPs to form a coalition government.
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