Solomon Islands PM Manele loses no-confidence vote

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele lost a parliamentary no-confidence vote on Thursday in Honiara, ending his 13-month tenure as leader of the Pacific nation.

Parliament speaker Patterson Oti announced the result as 26 votes against Manele and 22 in favor, with two abstentions in the 50-seat legislature. Manele will remain in office performing his duties until the Governor-General, Sir David Tiva Kapu, formally removes him and oversees the election of a successor. Lawmakers adjourned parliament indefinitely to facilitate the process.

After the vote, Manele urged unity. "I hope as leaders, we will continue to work for the betterment of this country," he told parliament. "It is important for both sides of the house to continue to work together to deliver goods and services for people going forward."

The defeat capped a political crisis that began on March 15, when a dozen government ministers, including 10 from Cabinet, resigned from Manele's coalition Government of National Unity. Members of the People's First Party led the defections, forming a new opposition bloc of 28 lawmakers. Party leader Frederick Kologeto, the member for South Vella La Vella, cited a loss of...