By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Solomon Islands Prime Minister and outgoing Pacific Islands Forum Chair Matthew Wale has left Palau just hours after arriving for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, following a no-confidence motion against his government in Honiara.
The political challenge was launched by Home Affairs Minister and East Malaita MP Manasseh Maelanga, who formally gave notice of the motion in Parliament on Saturday, accusing Wale of making major national decisions without proper Cabinet consultation or approval.
Maelanga said the motion centred on whether Wale continued to command the confidence of Parliament.
“The Motion is about confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership. The investigations are separate matters and should be allowed to proceed according to law,” Maelanga said in a statement.
He said the concerns behind the motion related to “unilateral decisions on matters of national importance without proper Cabinet consultation or approval” and questions over collective Cabinet responsibility, representative democracy and good governance.
Maelanga said he had taken the step with confidence in Solomon Islands’ democratic institutions and said Parliament should be allowed to consider the matter through the constitutional process.
“Under the Constitution, the Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament for the Government’s decisions and actions. Collective responsibility must be supported by collective consultation
“The motion therefore asks Parliament to decide one fundamental question: does the Prime Minister continue to command the confidence of its Members?,” he said.
Maelanga said the detailed reasons for the motion would be presented and debated on the floor of Parliament.
He also rejected suggestions that the political challenge was intended to interfere with ongoing investigations into several major matters, including the 33 West Rennell bauxite shipments, Pacific Games expenditure and the Economic Stimulus Package.
“These investigations must continue independently and without political interference, regardless of the motion or its outcome,” Maelanga said.
“The motion should not hinder, delay or influence the work of any investigating authority.”
Wale had only just arrived in Koror when news of the challenge emerged.
He declined to comment when approached by reporters on Saturday night.
He subsequently left Palau on Sunday to deal with the political crisis in Honiara.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Hou and Minister of National Planning and Development Peter Kenilorea Jr are expected to represent Solomon Islands at the Forum meeting.
Kenilorea Jr said he was still seeking information about the reasons behind the challenge.
“I had no idea as to why” the motion was launched, he said, adding that he was “looking forward to finding out more”.
The no-confidence motion comes just three months after Wale took office, raising fresh questions about political stability in Solomon Islands.
Wale’s departure is another setback for this year’s Forum meeting, which is already facing the absence of several Pacific leaders.
Kiribati President Taneti Maamau is not attending the meeting, while Samoa Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, Naoero President David Adeang, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka are also absent from the Leaders Meeting in Palau.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters described Maamau’s absence as “hugely disappointing”.
“The centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum is not going to be compromised,” Peters said.
“But it’s not going to help.”
Asked whether foreign interference could be contributing to divisions or absences within the Forum, Peters made no direct allegation but said, “You’d be defying gravity and logic if you said it wasn’t a big problem.”
Palau President and incoming Forum Chair Surangel Whipps Jr said Wale’s departure was unfortunate but understandable.
“We’re so grateful that he made it, but he has a few things back home that he has to take care of,” Whipps told ABC
He played down concerns about the number of absent leaders, saying a significant number were still expected to attend.
“One of the things we want to focus on is … crises come up, but how can we find a way to make sure that we make — within everybody’s schedule — to maximise the amount of leaders,” he said.
“Because there’s no question that when the leaders are all assembled we can get partners to deliver.”
Political analyst and Solomon Islands National University(SINU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Transform Aqorau said the latest political crisis raised serious questions about the country’s ability to maintain stable government.
While using humour to describe the timing of the crisis, Aqorau said the underlying issue was serious.
“We changed government only in May, but apparently our governments now come with shorter warranties than electrical goods,” he said.
Dr Aqorau said he supported political action taken in the national interest but questioned whether the dispute could have first been addressed within Cabinet.
“Surely this is a matter that could first have been raised in Cabinet, with Matthew firmly reminded that he must learn to consult his colleagues,” he said.
“Another vote of no confidence, only months after a change of government — what does this say about us and our ability to govern with stability and maturity?”
The motion now threatens to overshadow Solomon Islands’ participation at the region’s most important political gathering, while placing Wale’s three-month-old government under immediate pressure at home.
