By Eliza Kukutu
Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale
By Alfred Pagepitu
Hon. Mathew Wale has been elected and declared as the new Prime Minister of the Country.
Prime Minister Wale was elected for the top job following the election of the Prime Minister presided over by the Governor General Sir David Tiva Kapu at the National Parliament yesterday.
A total of 49 elected members were present during the election.
Wale received a total of 26 votes while the other candidate Peter Shanel Agovaka received 22 votes. There was 1 absent and 1 spoiled ballot.
Delivering his maiden speech, Mr Wale said that it is a great privilege and an honor to be elected as the Prime Minister.
“I will not trifle with this privilege and the government that I lead will do its utmost to serve. Please help keep us accountable and responsible. When we act as if we are your lords, please remind us that we are your servants.” he added.
“We take government at a difficult time given what is happening throughout the world. We are not immune from the impacts of these geopolitical events,” he said.
The government will exercise discipline and prudent management to see us through these difficult times.
“I call on all Solomon Islanders to summon the strength and courage to stand united in the face of these difficulties. Fellow Solomon Islanders, change is coming. These changes are necessary and may be painful.” Wale said.
“I ask that you join with your government in putting your hand to the plow. Let us all unite and count the cost of effecting the changes that are necessary to position our country to flourish.”
Wale also appeals to the youth of the country, to be ambitious and to be part of the growth we want to see in Solomon Islands.
“To all Christians who have daily prayed for our beloved Solomon Islanders, your prayers have not been in vain. Please continue to intercede for our beloved nation. For unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the gods stand in vain.”
“We rededicate our beloved Solomon Islands to Yahweh, the almighty God who reigns forever.”
“We delight in his love for us. We commit our plans and intentions to his mighty and loving hands. It is appropriate as it is necessary that I conclude with the prayer of King Solomon of old,” he said.
Ending with the quote, “so give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong for who is able to govern this great people of yours.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Matthew Wale says a new lineup of Cabinet Ministers is expected to be announced by the end of Sunday.
“More work has to be done, there’s no time to waste” PM Wale said.
Today, the Member of Parliament for Northwest Guadalcanal, Francis Sade, was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister at Government House.
Hon. Sade has also taken on the portfolio of Minister for Public Service, a post he previously held.
Sade’s swearing-in also saw six other ministers take up their ministerial portfolios under the new coalition government.
The ministers are Ricky Fuo’o as Minister for Infrastructure Development; Harry Kuma as Minister for Commerce; Clezy Rore as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs; and Franklyn Derek Wasi as Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.
The other two ministers sworn in were Frederick Kologeto as Minister for Communication and Aviation, and James Bonunga as Minister for Culture and Tourism.
More swearing in of Ministers are expected in the coming days.
Prime Minister Wale has represented the Aoke/Langalanga constituency since being elected in 2008.
He was elected in a special election held on 27 March 2008 following the death of sitting MP the late Bartholomew Ulufa’alu.
Following the 2019 general election, Wale became the Leader of the Opposition.
After former Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was removed in a no-confidence vote on 7 May 2026, a vote by MPs resulted in Wale becoming the new Prime Minister.
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