BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale is concerned that yesterday’s ministerial changes has removed the voices of Solomon Islands’ Polynesian minority from Cabinet.
Three new ministers were sworn in yesterday.
Members of Parliament for the country’s two Polynesian constituencies were removed from their ministerial portfolios.
Polycarp Paea, MP for Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) was replaced in the Environment ministry (MECDM) by Wayne Ghemu, MP for Ranongga Simbo.
John Tuhaika Jnr, MP for Rennell and Bellona constituency, which is also a province of its own, was replaced in the Traditional Governance ministry (MTGPEA) by Stephen Kumi, MP for Temotu Nende.
The third new minister was Rollen Seleso, MP for South Guadalcanal, who replaced Mr Ghemu in the Ministry of Provincial Government (MPGIS). Mr Seleso had held the portfolio during the previous government, DCGA, until May 2024 under the current GNUT government.
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a statement yesterday to congratulate the new ministers, wished them success in their new responsibilities and urged them to ‘work collaboratively for the benefit of all citizens’.
At the same time, Mr Wale raised concern that ‘members of Parliament from the Polynesian community, a significant minority grouping within our country, are no longer represented in Cabinet’.
He said while Cabinet appointments remain the prerogative of the Prime Minister, it must be based on sound judgement; inclusivity and balanced representation.
Wale said these are important principles that strengthen national unity and public confidence in government.
“This will be a deep dark stain on the record of the Prime Minister,” the Opposition Leader said.
Wale said Solomon Islands is built on diversity and Cabinet should reflect the rich cultural and regional make up of our people.
“Our nation’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and ensuring that different communities feel represented at the highest levels of decision-making contributes to cohesion, mutual respect, and shared ownership of national development,” Wale said.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended the changes saying they brought stability and aimed at ensuring fair and balanced representation in the distribution of ministerial portfolios within the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).
Mr Manele after the swearing-in ceremony yesterday said Tuhaika Jnr and Paea ‘remain as members of the GNUT and will continue to play a pivotal role to contribute in GNUT broader policy direction and the implementation of the 2026 programme’.
Paea has been with the GNUT government from the beginning, serving in two ministerial portfolios – Ministry of lands from May 7, 2024 to July 5, 2025, and MECDM from July 5, 2025 to February 10, 2026.
Paea stood unwaveringly with PM Manele and GNUT through two motions of no-confidence – Dec 2024 and May 2025.
Tuhaika Jnr started off with GNUT as Minister for Public Service until his resignation on December 14, 2024 to cross over to the Opposition ahead of the first motion of no-confidence against PM Manele. Manele survived it.
However, four months later, PM Manele faced his biggest challenge when his finance minister, Manasseh Sogavare, MP for East Choiseul, led a mass walk-out from GNUT with 10 MPs on April 28, 2025, igniting the second motion of no-confidence on Manele.
Tuhaika Jnr was one of the three Opposition MPs who saved PM Manele and GNUT when they joined government in the eleventh hour. Just days before, Opposition was slated to win since they commanded the majority.
Tuhaika Jnr held the MTGPEA portfolio from May 7, 2025 until yesterday’s replacement.
Photos: Supplied
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