Swearing in today as GNUT reshuffles and replaces ministers amid reports of instability
By Irwin Angiki
Three new government ministers have been sworn in this morning.
They are MP for South Guadalcanal Rollen Seleso, MP for Ranongga/ Simbo Wayne Ghemu and MP for Temotu Nende Stephen Kumi, the Government House confirmed to Island Sun yesterday.
Mr Seleso replaces Mr Ghemu at the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS). Seleso had recently held the portfolio under the DCGA government, and with GNUT until May 2024.
Ghemu is reshuffled to the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), replacing Polycarp Paea, MP for Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).
Mr Kumi will be the new Minister for Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace, and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGPEA). He replaces John Tuhaika Jnr, MP for Rennell and Bellona.
The reason behind the ministerial changes is unclear – whether they are due to performance of the incumbents or to bring about stability.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele declined to comment last night when sought, saying an official statement will be made following the swearing in today.
This reshuffling and replacement follow weeks of speculation of in-fighting between members of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) government.
Insiders told Island Sun that Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party members had brought up the grudge against People First Party (PFP), complaining PFP was holding on to proportionally more ministerial portfolios.
OUR Party is the largest party in the GNUT coalition with 24 MPs, 11 of whom held ministerial portfolios.
In contrast, PFP with only 12 members, boasted 11 ministers. (Latest addition of Harry Kuma, MP for Northwest Choiseul and Minister of Commerce in Oct, 2025 had boosted PFP ministerial dominance)
Of the new ministers to be sworn in today, Seleso and Kumi belong to OUR Party, while Ghemu, Mr Tuhaika Jnr and Mr Paea are PFP members.
The grudge by OUR Party against PFP was reportedly the centre of in-fighting last year after GNUT survived the second motion of no-confidence.
Following the mass walk-out led by MP for East Choiseul, Manasseh Sogavare on April 28 last year, GNUT restructured and opened up three ministry portfolios to lure Opposition and Independent MPs over.
Tuhaika Jnr played a role in saving GNUT when he crossed the floor to take on the MTGPEA portfolio.
The other two were, MP for West Makira Derick Manuari (who later joined PFP) and MP for North Malaita Daniel Waneoroa (Iumi For Change, U4C, Party).
Mr Manuari became the new Minister of Mines (MMERE) and Mr Waneoroa took control of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
When the dust settled, the GNUT government had 11 portfolio holders from OUR Party, 11 from PFP, one from Kandere party and one from U4C.
An insider told Island Sun last night to expect more replacements and reshuffles in the coming days, saying OUR Party is eyeing key ministries including the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Commerce.
Photo: Supplied
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