Solomon Islands: Proposed constitutional amendments aimed at greater separation of powers

On 17 August, Prime Minister Matthew Wale outlined proposed amendments within the Constitutional Amendment Bill before Parliament. The amendments include autonomy of Parliament and the Judiciary over their budgets, services, and recruitment, to transfer responsibility for convening parliamentary sitting from the PM to the Speaker, and a dissolution of the Independent group of MPs, leaving Parliament with the Executive and Opposition. PM Wale stated that abolishing the Independent group in Parliament would strengthen the Opposition and overall parliamentary democracy. Separately, on 18 August, PM Wale moved an adjournment motion for the second reading of the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 to 7 September 2026, following an absence of a report from the Bills and Legislation Committee. If passed, the Bill will repeal the over 30-year-old Mines and Minerals Act, and is intended to increase benefits for mining communities and landowners, strengthen environmental protection, and promote accountability and transparency within the industry.

Assessment: The proposed amendments seek to improve institutional independence and separation of powers. Abolishing the Independent group will very likely enhance Opposition cohesion. The transfer of responsibility for convening parliamentary sitting from the Prime Minister to the Speaker is almost certainly aimed at limiting the PM's ability to delay future no-confidence votes as seen during former PM Manele's refusal to convene parliament for a vote in May 2026 (see SPI 46, 22 April–5 May 2026). Introduction of the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 indicates PM Wale's continued commitment to mining sector reform and securing greater domestic economic returns from natural resource extraction.

Sources: Charles Stennett, “Prime Minister Wale hints changes on Constitutional Amendment Bill,” Theislandsun, 17 August 2026; “Mineral Resources Bill to return to Parliament on September 7,” Solomon Star, 20 August 2026.