Last updated: May 7, 2026 · Status: Caretaker PM after no-confidence loss · Age: 58
Jeremiah Manele’s government defeated (May 7, 2026)
On 7 May 2026, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s government was defeated in a no-confidence vote in the National Parliament, 26–22. The motion followed a months-long political crisis triggered by the defection of 19 government ministers and the exit of two coalition partners in March 2026. After Manele avoided convening parliament for nearly two months, the Court of Appeal ordered him to recall the house by 7 May to face the motion. He remains in a caretaker role until the Governor General formally removes him and parliament elects a successor; former foreign minister Peter Shanel Agovaka is widely seen as the front-runner.
Early life and education
Jeremiah Manele was born in 1968 in the village of Samasodu on the island of Santa Isabel, making him the first Solomon Islands prime minister from Isabel Province. He attended the Anglican Selwyn College on Guadalcanal, then completed his Year 6 at King George VI School in Honiara. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Public Administration from the University of Papua New Guinea (1991), and later did postgraduate work at the University of Oxford in 1995–96.
Civil service and diplomatic career
Manele began his career as a teacher of Social Science and Economics at Selwyn College from 1992 to mid-1993. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade as a Desk Officer in the Protocol Division in 1993, and later served as Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires of the Solomon Islands Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. He held senior posts as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Development Planning, Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Parliamentary career
Manele was first elected to the National Parliament in 2014, representing the constituency of Hograno-Kia-Havulei. He served as Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination (2017–2018) and was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs on 25 April 2019, in which role he formalised diplomatic ties between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China later that year. After the April 2024 general election, he won a secret parliamentary ballot for prime minister on 2 May 2024, defeating opposition leader Matthew Wale 31 votes to 18, and was sworn in the same day by Governor-General David Vunagi.
Personal life
Manele is married to Joycelyn. The couple have six children — four daughters and two sons. He is an Anglican and traces his roots to the village of Samasodu in Isabel Province.
Previous post content (now historical):
📅 Latest Update:
Jeremiah Manele serves as Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. This post has been updated to reflect the current leadership as of May 2, 2024.
About Jeremiah Manele
Jeremiah Manele (born 1968) is a Solomonese politician and the current prime minister of Solomon Islands since 2024. He is the first prime minister of the country to come from Isabel Province.
Gordon Darcy Lilo, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands (since Nov 16, 2011)
Constituency: Gizo/ Kolombangara, Western Province
Contact Address:
Ministry of Environment and Conservation
P.O. Box G13
Honiara
Solomon Islands.
Phone: +677 28611/ 22453
Fax: +677 28735
Parliamentary Service
- Elected to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands for Gizo/ Kolombangara Constituency in 5 December 2001. Re-elected in 5 April 2006.
Other Appointments
- Official Leader of Independent Group in Parliament as of 17 December 2001 to 4 April 2006.
Ministerial Appointments
- Minister for Environment and Conservation from 22 December 2007 to present
- Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs from 8 to 10 November 2007
- Minister of Finance from May 2006 to 8 November 2007
Qualifications
- Master of Development and Administration, Australian National University
- Postgraduate Diploma, University of Papua New Guinea
- Bachelor of Economic, University of Papua New Guinea
Occupation before entering Parliament
- Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Finance
- Permanent Secretary Ministry of Forestry, Environment & Conservation.
Conferences, Delegations, Visits
- Annual Board of Governors meeting of World Bank/International Monetary Fund and Australian Development Bank .
Personal
- Date of birth: 28 August 1965
- Village/ Home Island: Ghatere, Kolombangara island
Derek Sikua, Former Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
Dr. Derek Sikua is the 9th Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
A career public servant, Dr. Derek Sikua was elected to Parliament in April 2006 as MP for North East Guadalcanal. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Sikua served as Minister of Education and Human Resources Development. In November 2007 he resigned his cabinet position and joined the Opposition. Dr Sikua then tabled a motion of no-confidence which was successfully carried through on December 13 2007. He was elected Prime Minister by Parliament on December 20, 2007, receiving 32 votes against 15 for government candidate Patteson Oti. He was sworn in on the same day and his Cabinet was sworn in on December 21 and December 22.
Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village on the main island of Guadalcanal. He was Under Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from April 1993 to February 1994, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from February 1994 to November 1997, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Conservation from November 1997 to January 1998, Permanent Secretary with Special Duties at the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from May 2003 to September 7, 2003, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from September 8, 2003 to December 31, 2005.
Source: http://www.pmc.gov.sb