The Solomon Islands government could collapse following a walkout by ministers and MPs from the coalition. Former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has resigned from his position as finance minister and is among 10 MPs to leave Jeremiah Manele’s coalition. The pair are both part of the OUR Party, the largest party in parliament following the 2024 national election. During government negotiations, Sogavare stepped down as leader, allowing Manele to become prime minister of a three-party grouping. However, it appears that unity has been broken, with Sogavare is negotiating with opposition MPs. The Private Secretary to the Governor General, Rawcliff Zeza, told SIBC News that the grounds for the resignations expressed a lack of confidence in the leadership of the current Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. “Governor General David Tiva Kapu received 11 resignation letters” “Six are Members of the Cabinet who have their portfolios, and five are from the government backbenchers who copied a letter to His Excellency and addressed those letters to the Prime Minister.” He said the six MPs whose letters the Governor General received include Manasseh Sogavare – Minister for Finance and Treasury and wing leader of the Our Party; Manasseh Maelanga – Minister of Infrastructure and Development; Nestor Ghiro – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Rollen Seleso – Minister of Rural Development; and Freda Tuki – Minister of Women, Youth, and Children’s Affairs. Zeza added that Clezy Rore, the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, tendered his resignation letter, but later revoked it and remains as the Minister. He said the other backbenchers who sent their resignation letters include Claudius Tei’ifi – MP for West Kwaio; Stanley Sofu – MP for East Kwaio; William Marau – MP for Ulawa-Ugi; James Bonuga – MP for Temotu Pele; and Lazarus Rima – MP for East Central Guadalcanal. Zeza said deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification Bradley Tovosia also submitted his resignation letter. He said that since the MPs have resigned from their portfolios, the Government House will wait for advice from the Prime Minister on whether there are any MPs swearing in and where to appoint any MPs to fill those gaps. Last December, Manele was threatened with a no-confidence motion brought by Honiara-based MP Gordon Darcy Lilo, who withdrew it at the last minute, urging improved government performance. The week after, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $190 million (US$122 million) investment to strengthen local policing. Political instability is nothing new in the Solomon Islands, which has had 11 changes of prime minister this century. Sogavare has served three previous stints as prime minister. Meanwhile, Parliament Monday received a notice of a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. This was confirmed by Clerk to the National Parliament, Jefferson Hallu. “I can confirm that the Speaker, Patteson Oti, has received a notice of motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele,” Hallu said. He mentioned that it was presented by Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo. Hallu explained a seven-day notice is required under Section 34 of the constitution. The notice of the motion of no confidence has been put on, and day one will start counting today will lapse Monday, 5th of May. He added the motion will mature next Monday and can be moved in parliament from Tuesday, 06 May, depending on the order paper. “There is no rule that specifies when a motion of no confidence must be moved, but sooner rather than later has been the usual practice. “We expect it to be moved on the floor of parliament in the middle of next week,” Hallu said. Last year, Lilo also filed and moved a motion of no confidence against the current Prime Minister but withdrew it in parliament.