Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele faces a dangerous vote of no confidence – Copyright AFP/File DAVID GRAY
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele must recall the Pacific island nation’s parliament to face a no-confidence vote, an appeals court ruled on Friday.
The government has been in an impasse since March, when it was hit by mass cabinet resignations and the departure of two coalition partners.
The defections led the opposition to claim that the government had lost its majority in parliament.
Manele has since avoided a vote of confidence, which would have removed him and his government from power if he loses.
The Supreme Court ruled last month that the prime minister must recall parliament or resign after he continued to avoid a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition coalition.
On Friday, the appeals court said Manele must take steps before midday on Tuesday to facilitate the meeting of parliament so that lawmakers can sit by May 7.
“The continued failure to take steps to facilitate the meeting of parliament is contrary to the constitution,” reads a copy of the decision seen by AFP.
She rejected Manele’s argument that the Supreme Court had exceeded its powers.
“The court does not interfere with parliament by ensuring that parliament can meet,” the ruling said.
Outside court, Attorney General John Muria told SBM Online he was disappointed “but the court has spoken”.
Manele’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force stationed officers outside the court and appealed for calm.
Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso, sworn in by Manele on Wednesday, had earlier issued a statement saying “the police are independent of politics” and would not take sides.
A motion of no confidence against Manele was tabled in March after 12 cabinet ministers resigned from his government and two parties left the ruling coalition.
The new opposition coalition of six political parties says it had 27 mandates compared to the government’s 23 seats.
After the resignations, Manele appointed former leader and staunch Beijing ally Manasseh Sogavare as deputy prime minister, deepening the unrest.
The Solomon Islands are seen as one of China’s closest partners and supporters in the South Pacific, and they signed a secret security pact in 2022.
Chief Justice Albert Palmer ruled in April that the country was in a “constitutional impasse”.
