Manele Backs Former Foreign Minister And Defector For Solomon Islands' Top Job

Thursday, 14 May 2026, 4:45 pm
Article: RNZ

RNZ Pacific reporters

Solomon Islands caretaker Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has thrown his support behind Peter Shanel Agovaka ahead of Friday's election of the country's new leader.

This comes after Manele lost a no-confidence vote in parliament last week, ending his term halfway through the four-year term.

Agovaka, who defected from Manele's Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) in March, is running against opposition leader Matthew Wale and the leader of the independent MPs group Manasseh Maelanga.

Agovaka was a key minister in Manele's coalition and held the Foreign Affairs portfolio before his defection to the opposition. His supporters say his nomination for the top job is about continuing the vision of GNUT.

Manele said his support was given in the interests of completing his government's mission.

He is calling on citizens to remain calm and accept the outcome of tomorrow's prime ministerial election.

Unlike previous periods of political instability in the Solomon Islands, which have been marred by public unrest, the current impasse, which began in March, has so far been peaceful.

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