In the Solomon Islands, the Leader of the Official Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the National Parliament that is not in government. The title of "Leader of the Opposition" is common to the Commonwealth realms and several other Commonwealth countries, though in Solomon Islands it is specifically defined by the Constitution. The Leader of the Opposition appoints and leads a Shadow Cabinet. The current Leader of the Opposition, since May 2026, is Manasseh Sogavare.
Constitutional provisions The position of "Leader of the Official Opposition" is established by article 66 of the Constitution of 1978, which has been the country's Constitution since independence. Article 66 states that the Leader of the Opposition is appointed by the Governor-General, who chooses the Member of Parliament who is considered leader by a significant opposition group within Parliament. In practice, this means the Leader of the Opposition is elected by the members of the Opposition, and then formally recognised and appointed by the Governor-General."Abana is new Opposition leader" , Solomon Star, 1 September 2010 The Leader of the Opposition is dismissed by the Governor-General if they no longer enjoys the support of the Opposition.
Article 66 also provides for the Governor-General to appoint a Leader of the Independent Members – i.e., a parliamentary leader of Members of Parliament who remain unaligned with the government or with the Opposition.
List The following have served as Leaders of the Official Opposition in Solomon Islands. (Given the fluctuating nature of majority coalitions, successful motions of no confidence and thus changes in government are frequent during a parliamentary term. Consequently, there are in most cases several successive Leaders of the Opposition during a single Parliament.)"Members of Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
Steve Abana of the Democratic Party became Leader of the Opposition on 30 August 2010, following the 2010 general election."Abana is new Opposition leader" , Solomon Star, 1 September 2010 He resigned from that position in late March 2011, and the Opposition chose Derek Sikua to replace him."Revamped Solomons opposition on attack" , Radio Australia, 30 March 2011 Sikua thus led the 2011-2014 Shadow Cabinet.
On 9 December 2014, following the 2014 general election, Jeremiah Manele was appointed as Leader of the Opposition."MANELE APPOINTED OPPOSITION LEADER, MAELANGA INDEPENDENT", Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, 9 December 2014 He held that post until 17 November 2017."Hon. Jeremiah Manele", National Parliament of Solomon Islands In 2018, Manasseh Maelanga was Leader of the Opposition.Hansard for 18 July 2018 And following the April 2019 general election, the Leader of the Opposition is Matthew Wale."Solomon Islands Opposition questions new cabinet line-up", Pacific Islands News Association, 1 May 2019
ParliamentLeaders of the OppositionConstituencyPolitical partyPrime MinistersFirst (1976–1980)Bartholomew Ulufa’aluEast HoniaraSir Peter KeniloreaSecond (1980–1984)Solomon Mamaloni, thenSir Peter KeniloreaWest MakiraEast 'Are'areSir Peter Kenilorea, thenSolomon MamaloniThird (1984–1988)Solomon MamaloniWest MakiraSir Peter Kenilorea, thenEzekiel AlebuaFourth (1989–1993)Andrew Nori, thenJoses TuhanukuWest 'Are'areRennell-BellonaSolomon MamaloniFifth (1994–1997)Solomon Mamaloni, thenBaddley Devesi, thenEdward Huni’ehuWest MakiraNorth-East GuadalcanalEast 'Are'areFrancis Billy Hilly, thenSolomon MamaloniSixth (1997–2001)Solomon Mamaloni, thenManasseh Sogavare, thenBartholomew Ulufa'aluWest MakiraEast ChoiseulAoke-LangalangaBartholomew Ulufa'alu, thenManasseh SogavareSeventh (2001–2005)Patteson Oti, thenJohn Garo, thenFrancis Billy HillyTemotu NendeWest KwaioRanonga-SimboSir Allan KemakezaEighth (2006–2010)Mannasseh SogavareEast ChoiseulSnyder Rini, thenManasseh Sogavare, thenDerek SikuaNinth (2010–2014)Steve Abana, thenDerek SikuaFatalekaEast Central GuadalcanalDemocraticLiberalDanny Philip, thenGordon Darcy LiloTenth (2014-2018)Jeremiah Manele, thenManasseh MaelangaHograno-Kia-HavuleiDemocratic AllianceManasseh SogavareEleventh (2018 to present)Matthew Wale, thenManasseh SogavareAoke/LangalangaDemocratic Party
See also Shadow Cabinet of Solomon Islands Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom) Westminster system
References