Solomon Islands Coalition Teeters as Three Ministers Resign

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale's government is facing its first major test after three senior ministers resigned and one of them launched a surprise leadership challenge.

Justice Minister Clezy Rore, Commerce Minister Harry Kuma and Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga formally quit on Monday, according to state broadcaster SIBC. Maxwell Banyo, deputy private secretary to the governor-general, confirmed the resignations. Wale's office had not responded to a request for comment.

Wale, 57, won the prime ministership on May 15 by 26 votes to 22 against Peter Shanel Agovaka. He cut short a visit to Palau after Maelanga, the member of parliament for East Malaita, initiated the challenge.

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He has repeatedly made decisions on matters of national importance without properly consulting Cabinet.

Local media have described the dispute as an internal coalition revolt. Academic Tarcisius Kabutaulaka said the reasons behind the no-confidence motion were complicated, and questioned what a new government could achieve during the rest of the parliamentary term. He also asked whether another change of government would further weaken public confidence in parliament and address the country's long-running instability.

Kabutaulaka wrote that Solomon Islanders were watching the parliamentary struggle with disappointment and anger, describing the country as once again close to political instability. Maelanga said Wale had repeatedly made decisions on matters of national importance without properly consulting Cabinet.

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The country once again dangles over the edge of political instability.