BICKERING and disunity within the ruling Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is far from over, according to a confidential document obtained by the Solomon Star.
It is threatening to tear the nine-month-old coalition apart, unless Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acts to defuse the situation.
The explosive situation stemmed from a confidential document known as the Memorandum of Demands [MoD] signed by 16 senior government ministers and backbench on 24 December 2024 nine days after a Motion of No Confidence (MONC) in Manele’s leadership was withdrawn on the floor of Parliament.
“The fact that it was signed nine days after the MONC suggests that all is not well within, nor is it over for the GNUT coalition just as yet.
“And, any statement to the contrary is a public facade or deceptive outward appearance to make it look as if all is well within the ruling coalition. All is not well,” according to those with the knowledge of the turmoil within.”
In the MoD addressed to Prime Minister Manele, the 16 MPs wrote,
“We, the undersigned Members of Parliament of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition government, make the following demands provided below for your consideration and actions.
“We make these demands purposely to restore declining public confidence and image of the GNUT coalition government and improve our current financial and economical situation,” they said.
Implicit in the MoD is the demand that:
- Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare be removed as Minister of Finance and Treasury for granting $29 million in duty exemptions; and,
- Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia be replaced as Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification for his performance on the floor of Parliament.
The 10-point demand is also tinged with apparent greed and jealousy as well as veiled warning that disregarding the demands could spell the demise of the GNUT coalition as well as OUR Party, which dominates the coalition.
Some MPs who signed the MoD have vested interests in the logging industry. They want to control the industry.
The 16 senior Ministers and backbench are demanding that:
1. … the Prime Minister considers reshuffling Ministers in the GNUT government;
2. … any Cabinet decision endorsed must be consist(ent) with the Cabinet
Handbook;
3. … when a Cabinet Paper is put before the Cabinet for consideration and endorsement is disputed, the Minister responsible for the Cabinet paper must be present and given the opportunity to defend it;
4. … the GNUT government puts in place a policy that every tax exemption
estimated to be worth more than $10 million must be approved by the Cabinet granted;
5. … the government revokes the Member of Parliament medical contribution
to the Mustard Seed medical program;
6. … the GNUT government increases and fast-tracks the Rural Sustainable
Development Program (RSDP) implementation;
7. … the GNUT government discontinues the operations of Solomon Forest
Association (SFA) within our forestry sector;
8. … the GNUT government puts in place a policy requiring every logging
company to make their payments by way of Letter of Credit (LC) and not through Telegraphic Transfer (TT);
9. … the GNUT government investigates and revokes the operation of Gafung
(SI) Limited who are carrying out fuel business offshore or at the foreshore of Honiara; and,
10. … the GNUT government safeguards the operations of International
Whar(ves), (Honiara, Noro and Leeroy) and discontinues the operations of all the suffrage wharves operating in the country.
“We strongly believe the above issues will ensure good governance, improve our current financial situation and economy and restores our people’s trust, confidence and support to your leadership of this nation and our GNUT coalition government.
“We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, also assure you that your positive response to our demands will ensure our continuance and firm support to your leadership of the GNUT coalition government,” the Memorandum of Demands said.”
The 16 MPs [and the Constituency they represent] that signed the Memorandum of Demands are:
- Frederick Kologeto (South Vella);
- Chacabule Amoi (Marovo);
- Franklyn Derek Wasi (East Makira);
- Clezy Rore (North Vella);
- Polycarp Paea (Malaita Outer Islands, MOI);
- Ben Maenu (Lau Mbaelelea);
- Wayne Ghemu (Ranonga-Simbo);
- Harry Kuma (North West Choiseul);
- Rexon Ramofafia (Fataleka);
- Tozen Leokana (South Choiseul);
- Isikeli Vave (Shortlands);
- Manasseh Maelanga (East Malaita);
- Trevor Hedley Mahaga (Gao-Bugotu);
- Jimson Tanaganda (Gizo-Kolombangara);
- Freda AB Tuki Soriacomua (Temotu-Vatud); and
- Rolland Solenso (South Guadalcanal)
In terms of provincial support for the demands, six are from Western Province followed by Malaita Province on 4 and two from Choiseul Province. Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces have one each.
“Pressure is mounting. Unless Prime Minister Manele – described by some as a dove amongst the hawks – act immediately in addressing the grievances raised by his ministers, the potential for GNUT being torn apart cannot be ruled out,” observers said.
Interestingly, the mining industry escaped the wrath of the 10-point demand in the MoD.
Some said this could be due to one of two reasons or both.
The first, they said, is that none of the complaining Ministers and Backbench members have a known vested interest in the mining industry. The second is that mining is the only industry that brings in the dollar to the government coffers.
Targeting the industry could adversely affect the source of a major government revenue, that mining is.
By Alfred Sasako
