Solomon Islands: Despite delay sought with appeal, PM Manele unlikely to retain power if parliament convenes in near-term

On 14 April, the High Court ordered Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to convene Parliament within three days in response to the legal challenge filed by the opposition and defectors from the government. Although PM Manele acknowledged the ruling, he appealed, citing separation of powers concerns and called for public calm during the process. On 15 April, Governor-General (GG) Sir David Tiva Kapu affirmed the Court’s orders, and stated that he may invoke his authority as a last resort to convene Parliament should PM Manele fail to comply. With the three-day deadline expiring on 17 April, PM Manele travelled to Fiji to chair a one-day Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika meeting, drawing opposition criticism. PM Manele’s appeal is expected to be heard on 22 April, following the Appeal Court’s suspension of the High Court’s ruling. On 20 April, the 28-member opposition issued a statement, accusing the PM Manele-led Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) of attempting to retain power by offering its members money to induce defections, releasing text messages and recorded voice messages from government lobbyists. 

Assessment: PM Manele is almost certainly leveraging the appeal to delay and regain support through negotiated defections - needing three opposition MPs for the motion of no confidence to fail. GG Kapu is likely to convene Parliament if PM Manele’s appeal is unsuccessful. Given the opposition coalition’s current stance and cohesion against inducements, PM Manele is unlikely to retain power upon Parliament’s convening.

Sources: Ronald Toito'ona, “Resign Or Face Parliament: Chief Justice Orders PM Manele To Act Within 3 Days,” In-depth Solomons, April 14, 2026; Ronald Toito'ona, “PM Manele Moves To Appeal High Court Mandate, Citing “Profound” Constitutional Issues,” In-depth Solomons, April 14, 2026; Margot Staunton, “Solomons Governor-General refuses to call parliament amid Court of Appeal hearing,” RNZ, April 16, 2026; Ronald Toito'ona, “PM Manele In Fiji As Parliament Deadline Looms; Opposition Slams “Blatant Defiance” Of Court Order,” In-depth Solomons, April 16, 2026; Ronald Toito'ona, ““The Mandate Is Not For Sale”: Coalition Rejects Alleged Million-Dollar Inducements To Switch Sides,” In-depth Solomons, April 20, 2026; Margot Staunton, “Solomon Islands Court of Appeal stalls move to oust PM Manele over constitutional concerns,” RNZ, April 21, 2026.