Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele highly likely to survive motion of no-confidence
Around 28 September, media reporting revealed the possibility of a motion of no-confidence (MONC) against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. The motion is expected to be submitted between 5-6 October, to allow the required seven days of discussion before Parliament resumes on 13 October. The ongoing issue surrounding sufferance wharves and the government’s deteriorating finances were noted as reasons behind the MONC. In early September, Former Minister of Finance Harry Kuma, suspended the use of all sufferance wharves for unloading imported goods before he was replaced by Trevor Manemahaga, who revoked the suspension. The revocation was criticised by the public and unidentified “government insiders”, citing revenue loss, compliance issues, and national security concerns. On 19 September, PM Manele expressed support for the operation of sufferance wharves. On 3 October, Prime Minister Manele reassigned several ministers, including Trevor Manemahaga, to the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination.
Assessment: No Member of Parliament has publicly called for the PM’s removal, nor has a MONC been formally set in motion within parliament. PM Manele has used cabinet appointments to maintain political support in previous MONC challenges by opposition MP Gordon Darcy Lilo. While the MONC is unlikely to be motioned, he will highly likely defeat it if tabled.The MONC will be the third against PM Manele in less than a year. Both MONCs initiated by Lilo in December 2024 and May 2025 were withdrawn before discussion in parliament due to PM Manele’s superior courting of MPs.
Sources: Moffat Mamu, “THIRD MOTION LOOMS,” Solomon Star News, September 28, 2025; Ronald Toito’ona, “PM Manele Clarifies Government’s Position on Sufferance Wharves and Leeroy Wharf,” In-depth Solomons, September 19, 2025; “RIFT OVER WHARVES,” The Island Sun, September 12, 2025; Ronald Toito’ona, “Cabinet Shake Up: Manemahaga Assigned Fourth Ministry in three months, Ramofafia heads finance,” In-depth Solomons, October 3, 2025.
