Sacked Solomon Islands Finance Minister says Cabinet revolt is imminent

Solomon Islands Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who shares a political party with Prime Minister Matthew Wale, has announced that further resignations from the Cabinet are expected. Prime Minister Wale is preparing to face a no-confidence motion, which is set to be introduced on Monday, 7 September. Lilo, along with his fellow Finance Minister Manasseh Maelanga, was removed from Cabinet by Wale this afternoon.

During an interview with RNZ Pacific, Lilo denied any involvement in plotting against Wale, but expressed his obligation to support the no-confidence motion. He stated, "I'm caught in between. I cannot move away from a party member because there are only two of us, so we have to be together in this whole proposition."

Finance Minister Clezy Rore, Justice Minister and Commerce Minister Harry Kuma had already resigned from their positions, joining Lilo in their departure. Wale, in an attempt to counter the no-confidence motion, elevated three government backbenchers to Cabinet positions, diminishing the government's majority from 33 to 29.

Rore and Kuma, both members of the People First Party, may sway other party members to back the no-confidence motion, potentially leading to a shift against Wale. Lilo believes there are valid reasons for concern regarding the functioning of the Cabinet, as it lacks a formal agreement, which was established when the Prime Minister's coalition was formed.