Matthew Cooper Wale CBE (born 13 June 1968) is a Solomon Islands politician serving as prime minister of Solomon Islands since 2026. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been a member of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands since 2008, representing the Aoke/Langalanga constituency,[1] and served as the official Leader of the Opposition from 2019 to 2026.
Matthew Wale | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wale in 2018 | |
| Prime Minister of Solomon Islands | |
| Assumed office 15 May 2026 | |
| Monarch | |
| Governor-General | |
| Deputy | Francis Sade |
| Preceded by | Jeremiah Manele |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 17 May 2019 – 15 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Manasseh Maelanga |
| Succeeded by | Manasseh Sogavare |
| Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga | |
| Assumed office 27 March 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1968 Ambu Village, Malaita Province, British Solomon Islands |
| Party | Democratic Party |
Political career
editWale was elected in a special election held on 27 March 2008 following the death of sitting MP Bartholomew Ulufa'alu.[2]
Following the 2019 general election, Wale was appointed as Leader of the Opposition on 17 May 2019.[3][4]
In 2021, amid mass unrest in the country, Wale called for Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down.[5] On 28 November 2021, Wale filed a no-confidence motion against the Sogavare government, with debate scheduled for 6 December.[6][7] The motion was ultimately defeated.[8]
Wale opposed the security agreement signed by Sogavare and the Chinese government in 2022.[9][10]
Following the 2024 general election, Wale was a nominee for the position of prime minister. Wale, who received 18 votes, lost to Jeremiah Manele, who received 31 votes.[11]
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours for political and public service.[12]
On 15 May 2026, Wale was elected prime minister by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands after Manele was removed in a no-confidence vote on 7 May.[13][14] In June 2026, Wale announced that he would review a security agreement with China signed by then-prime minister Sogavare in 2022.[15]
References
edit- ↑ "The Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale". National Parliament of Solomon Islands. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
- ↑ "New Members for East Malaita and Aoke-Langalanga", Solomon Times, March 29, 2008
- ↑ "PINA | Pacific Islands News Association". Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ↑ "Solomon Islands Extraordinary Gazette, No. 85 (20 May 2019)". paclii. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ Hurst, Daniel (25 November 2021). "Australia sends troops and police to Solomon Islands as unrest grows". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ↑ Sasako, Alfred (29 November 2021). "NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION FILED". Solomon Star. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ↑ Agence France-Presse (1 December 2021). "Solomon Islands unrest: New Zealand to send dozens of peacekeepers". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ↑ "Solomon Islands PM survives no-confidence vote after unrest". BBC News. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ↑ "Former China hawk Matthew Wale elected Solomon Islands' leader". BBC News. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Piringi, Charley (15 May 2026). "China critic Matthew Wale elected Solomon Islands prime minister". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Jeremiah Manele is new Solomon Islands Prime Minister". RNZ. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ↑ "No. 64612". The London Gazette (6th supplement). 31 December 2024. p. N62.
- ↑ "Bribery and corruption barbs thrown as Solomon Islands PM voted out of office". ABC News. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Matthew Wale becomes Solomon Islands prime minister after secret ballot win". ABC News. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "New prime minister says Solomon Islands will review its secretive security treaty with China". AP News. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
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