Solomon Islands 'dangles over the edge of political instability' as three ministers quit
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale's GREAT coalition government appears headed for a major test after three of his most senior ministers formally quit on Monday.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale's Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) coalition faces a major challenge after three senior ministers resigned on Monday. The move comes just over 100 days since Wale's election to the top job. He had earlier cut short a trip to Palau following East Malaita MP and Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga's surprise leadership challenge.
The ministers who resigned are Justice Minister Clezy Rore, Commerce Minister Harry Kuma, and Maelanga himself. This development has been described by Solomon Islands media as an "internal coalition revolt" and labeled "deeply unfortunate" by regional political watchers.
According to Maelanga, the reason for the no-confidence motion is that Wale has been making decisions on matters of national importance without consulting Cabinet. Solomon Islands academic Tarcisius Kabutaulaka suggests the reasons for the motion are complicated. He questions what a new government could achieve in the remaining period of the parliament and whether a change of government would benefit the nation or further erode already low confidence in parliament.
As Solomon Islanders watch the political turmoil unfold, the country once again finds itself teetering on the edge of political instability.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
