Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has survived another motion of no confidence in his leadership.
Despite maturing on Monday, and being available to be moved today, the no-confidence motion did not appear on the order paper this morning.
Parliament sat briefly only to be adjourned until this afternoon, when it was finally confirmed that the mover of the motion, Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo, had withdrawn it.
It is the second leadership challenge mounted against Manele, who is just over 12 months into his four-year tenure.
Notice of the motion was submitted to parliament last Monday by Lilo, who also mounted the leadership challenge last December.
On that occasion, Lilo was forced to withdraw the motion on the floor due to a total lack of support.
This time, however, it was accompanied by the news that 10 MPs, led by the former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, had defected to the opposition.
According to Government House, the ministers and backbenchers who resigned from the government coalition on 28 April are:
- Manasseh Sogavare - Ministry of Finance and Treasury
- Manasseh Maelanga - Ministry of Infrastructure Development
- Freda Soriacomua - Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs
- Nestor Ghiro - Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
- Rollen Seleso - Ministry of Rural Development
- Bradley Tovosia - Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
- Claudius Tei'ifi - Government Backbencher
- Stanley Sofu - Government Backbencher
- William Marau - Government Backbencher
- James Bonunga - Government Backbencher
- Lazarus Alfred Rima - Government Backbencher
Since the mass resignation, Manele has been courting members of the opposition and independent groups, and between 2 and 5 May recruited and swore in the following ministers to his government:
- Daniel Suilea - Minister for Rural Development
- Derick Manuari - Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
- Ricky Fuo'o - Minister for Infrastructure Development
- Fredrick Kologeto - Deputy Prime Minister
- Cathy Nori - Minister for Women, Children and Family Affairs
- Harry Kuma - Minister for Finance and Treasury
- Jamie Vokia - Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration
As of 6 May, two ministerial portfolios remain vacant: Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Ministry for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
In parliament today, Manele congratulated his new ministers and thanked the backbenchers who had rejoined the coalition.
He then moved for an adjournment of parliament until next Monday to allow time for the newly sworn ministers to acquaint themselves with their new ministries.
Several MPs contributed to the motion including the opposition leader Matthew Wale who acknolwedged Gordon Darcy Lilo for his decision to withdraw the motion once it was clear they did not have the numbers.
The adjournment was passed and parliament rose to resume on 12 May at 9:30am local time.
