Solomon Islands PM Wale leaves forum over no-confidence motion
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale left Palau hours after arriving for a meeting of leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum. He returned to his country to address a challenge to his leadership after a no-confidence motion was submitted.
According to ABC News Australia, the motion was initiated by Interior Minister Manasseh Maelanga. He said the prime minister had repeatedly made decisions of national significance without proper consultation with, or approval from, the cabinet.
Accusations against the prime minister
In the text of the motion, Maelanga argues that such actions undermine the principles of collective cabinet responsibility, representative democracy and good governance. Maelanga was one of Wale’s main rivals in the race for prime minister this year and later took up a senior post in his government.
Similar complaints had previously been voiced by the opposition. Its leader and former prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, accused Wale of advancing major changes without proper consultation with parliament or voters. After arriving in Palau, Wale declined to comment on the challenge to his leadership.
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Representation at the forum
Wale, who has been prime minister for three months and is the outgoing chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, flew out of Palau on Sunday morning. According to ABC News Australia, he is due to arrive in the Solomon Islands on Monday.
The Solomon Islands will be represented at the forum by Foreign Minister Rick Hou and Peter Kenilorea Jr. Kenilorea Jr. said he did not know the reasons for the motion and was awaiting further information.
This year’s forum meeting is taking place in the absence of several leaders. Kiribati President Taneti Maamau will not attend, and the country will be represented by its ambassador to China. The prime ministers of Samoa, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, and Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, also did not plan to travel to Palau.
