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★Tue, 01 Sept 2026·HONIARA·Updated daily

2026-09-01 最新动态

Opposition: Prime Minister Wale’s shock departure from PIFLM, a national embarrassment

The Parliamentary Opposition strongly condemns Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s shocking decision to abandon the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Palau just hours after arriving, in order to rush back to Solomon Islands to confront a leadership crisis of his own making. The Prime Minister’s abrupt departure from this important regional meeting is a serious embarrassment for Solomon Islands and raises fundamental questions about the stability, judgment and priorities of the GREAT Coalition Government. As the outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Prime Minister has a responsibility to provide leadership, represent Solomon Islands with dignity and participate fully in discussions on issues of vital importance to the Pacific region. Instead, the Prime Minister has been forced to leave the regional leaders’ meeting prematurely because his Government is facing a major political crisis at home. Home Affairs Minister Fr. Hon. Manasseh Maelanga MP, filed a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister, over what he described as a fundamental breakdown of confidence in the leadership and decision-making style of Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale. This is not simply a political disagreement. It is a profound leadership failure by Prime Minister Wale. The Opposition Leader, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare MP, reminds Prime Minister Wale that amid heightened political uncertainty at home in January of this year, Prime Minister Manele travelled to Brisbane, Australia, where he committed himself to the full duration of the Pacific Islands Forum Troika meeting while facing a No Confidence Motion against his leadership at home. As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Manele joined the first in-person Troika meeting of 2026 alongside incoming Forum Chair and President of Palau, His Excellency Surangel Whipps. The meeting reaffirmed the Forum leaders’ shared commitment to regional unity, solidarity and collective leadership at a time of heightened global uncertainty, with Manele’s participation underscoring his continued engagement in regional affairs despite the political challenge to his leadership at home. Prime Minister Wale, by contrast, has been compelled to abandon an important regional commitment because his political house is unstable. The Opposition adds, if a serving senior minister can move a motion of no confidence against his own Prime Minister within three months of the Government taking office, then the Prime Minister must accept that there is a serious breakdown of trust and confidence in his leadership. The Opposition will continue to stand firmly for accountability, transparency, responsible leadership and the national interest. At a time when our country should be demonstrating stability, maturity and strong leadership in the Pacific, PM Wale has regrettably presented the Pacific Islands region with a picture of political uncertainty and division. [end] Opposition statement The post Opposition: Prime Minister Wale’s shock departure from PIFLM, a national embarrassment first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .

SIBC/ SOURCE ↗

MFMR staff undergo gender, disability training

BY CHARLES STENNETT The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) conducted a Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) training for its staff at the Heritage Park Hotel on Monday. A statement from MFMR said the ministry hopes the training will increase existing GEDSI knowledge and GEDSI application skills for MFMR staff across key divisions. It said, key GEDSI knowledge will include key issues and findings from recent research, namely the Solomon Islands gender and fisheries fact sheet, published in 2026. Key GEDSI skills will focus on GEDSI analysis. Human rights in fisheries content will be included for a broader people-centred and human-rights-based lens. The workshop also aims to socialise key policy statements, objectives and corresponding outputs, targets and indicators including the implementation plan for the MFMR GEDSI Strategy to ensure MFMR staff are aware and familiar with the strategy and know their roles, responsibilities and timeline to implement the strategy.

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DOY Synod enters day-3 with key motions and reports

BY BEN BILUA In Jejevo THE 18th Synod of the Diocese of Ysabel (DOY) has entered its third day with a number of reports, motions, resolutions and proposed changes to the administration and structure of the diocese. Day three began with a Holy Eucharist led by Reverend Hudson Norman, followed by breakfast before delegates proceeded to the main synod session. The session is being presided over by the Chair of the 18th Synod, Bishop Christopher Hope Fihu. Also present during the synod session is a legal team from Whitlam K Togamae Lawyers providing legal advice. The first business includes confirmation of the minutes from day two, followed by a call for questions, motions, reports, resolutions and bills. A number of reports are scheduled to be presented during the session. These include reports from the Senior Priest of Zamako, Senior Priest of the Gaoma Region, Senior Priest of Lawela and Senior Priest of Tuvano. The Mission Secretary and Evangelist Coordinator are also expected to present their respective reports. Reports from the Sunday School and Youth and the Mother Union are also part of the day’s agenda. Among the key matters before the Synod is Motion One, concerning the Strategic Plan of the Diocese of Ysabel. The Synod is also expected to consider the work of the Strategic Plan Draft Committee established for 2026. Other matters on the agenda include the proposed establishment of a Reconciliation Office and the re-appointment of the Diocesan Cathedral Working Committee for 2026. The Synod will also consider the recruitment of an Education Secretary as part of strengthening the diocese’s administrative and education work. A proposal to establish a Western Region within the Diocese of Ysabel is also before the Synod. Another significant proposal is for St Peter Church at Noro to become a standalone parish. The proposals and reports are expected to provide delegates with an opportunity to assess the current work of the diocese and consider priorities for its future ministry. The 18th Synod brings together clergy, church leaders and representatives to deliberate on matters affecting the Diocese of Ysabel and its ministry. The deliberations continue as the Synod works through its agenda and considers the proposed motions, reports and resolutions.

Island Sun/ SOURCE ↗

Clergies urged to build resilient Church

BY BEN BILUA In Jejevo THE General Secretary of the Church of Melanesia, Andrain Toni, has called on the clergy to take greater responsibility in building a resilient Church for future generations. Speaking during the 18th Synod of the Diocese of Ysabel, Toni said the diocese appeared to be relatively well resourced for its present ministry demands, but stressed that resilience required responsible stewardship of the Church’s people and resources. He said a resilient Church was one that used its people and resources wisely while ensuring that its foundation remained firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. “A resilient diocese is one that remains standing because its foundation is in Jesus Christ,” Toni said. He challenged clergy and Church leaders to look beyond the present and consider what they were building for generations to come. “The challenge today is whether we are building something equally strong for the generation coming after us,” he said. Toni noted that the Diocese of Ysabel became a diocese in 1975 and has now reached its 50-year milestone. For five decades, he said, the diocese had administered the affairs of the Anglican Church of Melanesia across Isabel, Western and Choiseul provinces, as well as the Russell Islands. He said the anniversary provided an opportunity for the diocese to reflect on its history while also considering its responsibilities for the future. According to Toni, the Diocese of Ysabel currently has 72 active priests, eight administrative staff, four zones, 31 parishes and 181 vestries. The diocese serves more than 33,000 people, based on figures from the 2019 census. Toni said the size and reach of the diocese demonstrated the importance of responsible leadership and stewardship of its human and material resources. He also described the Synod as an important time for clergy and Church leaders to come together to seek God’s plan and divine wisdom for the Diocese of Ysabel. Toni urged participants to use the Synod not only to discuss the challenges facing the diocese, but also to discern ways of strengthening its ministry and ensuring that the Church remained resilient. He said the future strength of the diocese would depend on the decisions being made by its leaders today and their commitment to building a Church that could continue serving its people for generations to come.

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Australia, RSIPF begin Coastwatchers exercise

BY DOUGLAS VAHIA Thirty-one members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have arrived in Solomon Islands to participate in the second iteration of Exercise Coastwatchers for 2026. The ADF personnel arrived on Saturday, August 29, with the joint exercise between the ADF and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commencing on Monday, a statement by the Australian High Commission (AHC) yesterday said. Exercise Coastwatchers is the premier training activity between the two forces and is designed to strengthen the sovereign policing capacity of the RSIPF, AHC said. The exercise is jointly developed by the ADF and RSIPF and responds directly to the needs of the Solomon Islands Government and the police force. Training during the latest exercise will be conducted both in Honiara and in several provinces, covering a range of specialised skills aimed at strengthening the RSIPF’s operational capabilities and developing future trainers within the force. The latest iteration will build on knowledge and skills gained during previous Coastwatchers exercises, with participants undertaking more advanced and complex scenarios. The training is designed to enable participants to plan, lead and deliver training in support of policing operations across Solomon Islands. One of the key components is the Advanced Small Boats course, which will cover areas including small-boat maintenance and advanced navigation. Participants will deploy to several provinces as part of the course, progressively developing the skills required to serve as small-boat handlers, instructors and, eventually, team leaders. Following the opening of the Western Border Outpost (WBO ) , the ADF will also provide additional training to RSIPF personnel in the use of high-specification Parrot drones. The drone training will support the RSIPF’s border surveillance activities from the WBO. Other components of the exercise include advanced medical training, administration, vehicle maintenance and logistics. The medical training will equip police personnel with skills to respond to emergencies and provide vital first aid, while the administration course will strengthen capabilities in records management and organisational processes. Vehicle maintenance and logistics training will also focus on improving efficiency, extending the operational lifespan of RSIPF vehicles and ensuring equipment reaches officers where and when it is required. Australia’s Acting Defence Adviser to Solomon Islands, Brett Verity, said Exercise Coastwatchers demonstrated the strength of the security partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands. “Exercise Coastwatchers is an important training activity we conduct in Solomon Islands which delivers practical skills that support the RSIPF in its day-to-day operations and long-term capability development,” Mr Verity said. He said the exercise reflected Australia’s commitment to working with Solomon Islands to build capability and strengthen relationships. “Most importantly, Exercise Coastwatchers is building the capability of the RSIPF to protect the people, resources, and security of Solomon Islands,” he said. Verity added that the ADF personnel participating in the exercise were looking forward to returning to Solomon Islands and training alongside their RSIPF counterparts. He said the exercise also provided an opportunity for both organisations to share skills and culture. Exercise Coastwatchers will run from August 31 to September 23.

Island Sun/ SOURCE ↗

Kongulai water supply restored

BY DOUGLAS VAHIA Water supply from the Kongulai water source has been restored, Solomon Water has confirmed. The restoration was completed at about 6pm on Monday following an interruption to the supply. However, customers in Tasahe, Titinge, Skyline, West Kola Ridge and East Kola Ridge have been advised that it could take up to 48 hours for the water supply system in these areas to fully recover. Solomon Water said customers who continue to experience no water or low water pressure after 48 hours should contact the utility on 44700. Customers can also send a message through Solomon Water’s Messenger service, providing their water meter account number and contact details to assist with follow-up. Meanwhile, the Kombito water source remains closed due to high turbidity. Solomon Water has apologised for the inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their patience and understanding. The utility has also issued a boil-water advisory for customers who are receiving water. Customers are advised to boil all water before using it for drinking, food preparation, cooking and consumption. The boil-water advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Solomon Water is urging customers to continue following the advisory until further notice is issued confirming that the water is safe for consumption.

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