BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Guadalcanal Province reaffirms its firm commitment for the establishment of a federal system of government, declaring that the call for statehood is “non-negotiable” and deeply rooted in the will of its people.
In a statement issued this week, Guadalcanal Premier, Willie Atu expressed solidarity with Western Province, which recently reiterated its support for federalism.
Guadalcanal now becomes the second province to publicly reaffirm its position amid ongoing national discussions on constitutional reform.
Premier Atu said that the demand for a federal system is not a new or fading aspiration, contrary to recent remarks by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
He revealed that the province most recently conveyed its demand during dialogue with the then Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) in November 2022, where statehood by August 2026 was reportedly accepted.
He said that this was followed by the circulation of the Final Draft Constitution of the Republic of Solomon Islands and the tabling of the Constituent Assembly Bill 2023 in Parliament.
However, Atu said the defeat of the Constituent Assembly Bill in December 2024 lies squarely with the current Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), which he accused of lacking the willingness or ability to advance the federal agenda.
He said that Guadalcanal is now calling on the Prime Minister to re-table the Constituent Assembly Bill in the first quarter of 2026 to allow further debate and refinement of the draft federal constitution.
“Federalism is not a fading dream. It is our people’s demand and vision.
“Guadalcanal Province, in solidarity with other provinces, is committed to statehood by 2028 while remaining dedicated to a stronger, more accountable, and united Solomon Islands,” Atu said.
He said the call for federalism has been consistently and strongly voiced by the people of Guadalcanal since 1978.
“Our people have mandated us to pursue this aspiration. The push for federalism is anchored in key historical agreements, including the Townsville Peace Agreement (2000), the Buala Communiqué (2000), and the nationwide constitutional consultations that followed.
He noted that federalism was central to the tensions that led to the ethnic conflict from 1998 to 2003 and said his government remains committed to peace, development, and national unity.
Atu also clarified that the 2023 Premiers’ Conference in Gizo did not call for a full review of the Provincial Government Act 1997, but instead agreed on targeted amendments to Section 26. These include adopting a revenue-sharing formula based on provincial economic contributions, devolving legislative powers to provincial assemblies, and ensuring national support for provinces preparing for statehood.
During an MPGIS workshop on the Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 held in August 2025, premiers rejected several provisions, including the inclusion of PCDF clauses. A joint response submitted in September 2025 called for the invocation of Section 26(2) and rejected what they described as “quick fixes”.
Premier Atu said continued silence from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening has forced premiers to pursue their concerns directly with the Prime Minister, including a meeting held on January 31, 2026.
He said Guadalcanal remains steadfast, citing the 2018 Draft Federal Constitution, the 2023 Constituent Assembly Bill, and ongoing cost-benefit analyses as evidence of sustained commitment.
Photo: Supplied
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