Sunday Isles

10/05/2026

COALITION FIELDS TWO PRIME CANDIDATES | Three candidates have been nominated for the Prime Minister’s election in the Solomon Islands, which will take place on Friday, 15 May 2026. The candidates are Peter Shanel Agovaka, Manasseh Maelanga, and Matthew Cooper Wale. The Governor-General’s Deputy Private Secretary, Maxwell Banyo, confirmed the nominations to Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation. “At the close of nominations for the Prime Minister’s election at 12 noon today, we received these three candidates,” Mr. Banyo said. He explained that Mr. Agovaka is standing for the caretaker government, while Mr. Maelanga and Mr. Wale are candidates from the new coalition. “With that, we now have four clear days before the election of the Prime Minister, which is set for 15 May,” he said. Mr. Agovaka’s nomination was supported by MPs Paul Popora Bosawai, Jaimie Lency Vokia, Rexon Annex Ramofafia, and Freda AB Tuki Soriacoma. Mr. Maelanga’s nomination was supported by Clezy Rore, Francis M. Belande Sade, Morris Toiraena, and Daniel Waneoroa. Mr. Wale’s nomination was supported by Rick Nelson Houenipwela, Franklyn Derek Wasi, George Temahua, and Lazarus Alfred Rina. Mr. Banyo said all Members of Parliament have been informed about the candidates and their nominators.

08/05/2026

THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER & CABINET: Six Posts Available
Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following vacant positions. Men and women from all provinces are encouraged to apply.
Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 4:00PM

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following vacant positions. Men and women from all provinces are encouraged to apply. Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 4:00PM Important notes for interested candidates Information Pack can be ob...

07/05/2026

PM MANELE OUSTED BY PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has lost the confidence of Parliament. The motion of no confidence passed with 26 votes in support, 22 against, and 2 members absent. This result means Manele’s administration can no longer continue in office, raising questions about the formation of a new government. Manele will remain in office and perform his normal duties until he is officially removed by the Governor-General.

07/05/2026

VAVE CRITICIZES POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY TIMING | Hon. Junior Isikeli Vave, Minister for Home Affairs, has raised concerns about the timing of the ongoing motion of no confidence in Parliament. He warned that political instability could disrupt key national development programs ahead of the next general elections.

Read More Here: https://sundayisles.islesmedia.net/minister-vave-raises-concerns-over-timing-during-no-confidence-debate/

07/05/2026

AGOVAKA DEFENDS PM AMID CRITICISM | The Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shanel Agovaka, has shown support for Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele despite a Motion of No Confidence against his style of leadership. Agovaka said, “With all due respect, he (PM Manele) has struggled to rule our government and running our country, especially with people trying to influence his decision-making; this is also an issue.”
He added, “A Prime Minister that a lot of people call him weak. A Prime Minister that is not strong to stand against his cabinet ministers in decision-making in this country. And that is sad.” Agovaka’s statement shows sympathy for Manele’s challenges in leading the government.

Visual credit @ National Parliament of Solomon Islands

07/05/2026

PRIME MINISTER TARGETED ONLINE, SAYS TOVOSIA | Bradley Tovosia, MP for East Guadalcanal and Minister of Fisheries, accused the New Coalition of using social media to campaign against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his government. “You use Facebook as your media campaign,” he told Parliament. He also criticized Frederick Kologeto, MP for South Vella Lavella, who moved the Motion of No Confidence. “I think the Mover is the President of the People’s First Party and he is the one instigating, instigating and instigating the first series of Motion of No Confidence,” Tovosia said.

Photo credit @ National Parliament of Solomon Islands

07/05/2026

THE PARLIAMENT IS SUSPEND FOR 2PM | The Speaker Patteson Oti has suspended Parliament until 2pm this afternoon. Debate on the Motion of No Confidence in Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to continue when it resumes.

07/05/2026

AUKI ROAD CULVERTS NEAR COMPLETION | The contractor for the China-Aid Auki Road Rehabilitation Project in Malaita province is currently focusing on culvert works and preparing road surfaces for the final asphalting. Over the past months, the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has been carrying out channel improvements, construction of retaining walls, slope protection, shoulder barriers, and ditching. Most of these components are already complete, while the remaining ones are progressing steadily. These features are critical for drainage systems, preventing erosion, and reducing flood risks throughout Auki. This project has encountered delays due to slow interventions by the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in relocating their poles, underground piping, and cables from the road carriageway. Now that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by these SOEs, namely Solomon Water, Solomon Telekom and Solomon Power, with the national government, work is reportedly progressing, seeing the relocation of utility lines was carried out simultaneously. The project encompasses the extensive rehabilitation of the 3.796-kilometre main road from Kilu’ufi Hospital to Kwaibala Bridge, as well as the upgrade of key feeder roads (Fa’asitoro and Sikitae) and the Auki Town loop, totalling 9 km. Preparation for asphalt sealing is underway, and once completed, Auki will benefit from a durable 50mm-thick asphalt pavement, expected to last between 10 to 20 years. More than 200 Malaitans from nearby communities are employed on this project, working alongside Chinese technical experts and gaining valuable skills in construction. This project with a total cost of approximately SBD 200 million augments the government’s National Transport Infrastructure Plan 2017-2035 and serves as a testament to the PRC’s support for the Solomon Islands’ infrastructure development, further cementing the friendship.

Source/Photo credit @ Ministry of Infrastructure Development

07/05/2026

NORTHEAST MALAITA ROAD MAINTENANCE 80% COMPLETE | Road repair and maintenance works along the unsealed Northeast Malaita road are now 80% complete. This work, undertaken by local contractor FT Builders and Civil Works, was paused for a while due to disputes with gravel access. Now that they have settled it, the road works will commence in the coming days, focusing on the remaining sections. This road network will improve connectivity for the people of Fataleka and Baegu Asifola. The project extends to the Subobono River mouth (37.89 kilometres), covering the Ata area, also a convenient access for communities further north. Managing Director Felix Talisia of FT Group said construction activities include roadside clearance, grading, regraveling, and drainage improvements for key sections. Mr Talisia said their crew have carried out repairs to a few wooden bridges along the route, which were near collapse. Other small bridges were not stipulated in their contract, but Mr Talisia explained that they saw the necessity to conduct relief works, improving safe crossings for passing public vehicles and their machines, and maintaining a smooth workflow for the project. The ministry’s Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division (TIMSD) field officers in Auki continue to oversee these ongoing road improvements, ensuring adherence to quality standards throughout all phases. Two other unsealed road repairs in Malaita include Busurata Road and South Road (Maoa-Hauhui). The other contract will see the sealing of the first 5km from Kwaibala to Oibola. These projects are funded by the Solomon Islands and Australian governments’ support through the National Transport Fund (NTF). It aligns with the government’s 2017-2035 National Transport Plan (NTP), which aims to upgrade transport infrastructure to enhance accessibility, safety, and efficiency—fostering social and economic development for Malaitans.

Source/Photo credit @ Ministry of Infrastructure Development

06/05/2026

Parliament Currently Underway

06/05/2026

GNUT MP's arrived and making their way to the Parliament House ahead of the Motion of No Confidence.

📹: Lynnisha Runa & Joy Ofasia For Isles Media