Matthew Cooper Wale has been elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands after securing majority support in a parliamentary vote held on Friday following the removal of the previous government through a motion of no confidence.
Wale, Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga Constituency and former opposition leader, defeated Peter Shanel Agovaka by 26 votes to 22 in a secret ballot conducted at Parliament House.
Of the 50 members of parliament, 49 ballots were cast, with one member absent and one ballot declared spoilt.
The result was formally declared by Sir David Tiva Kapu, Governor-General of Solomon Islands, following recent political developments that culminated in the successful motion of no confidence that vacated the office of prime minister.
Wale’s election marks a significant political shift in Solomon Islands, where he has emerged over recent years as one of the country’s most prominent advocates for governance reform, accountability and anti-corruption measures.
Born on 13 June 1968, Wale has represented Aoke/Langalanga Constituency since first entering parliament in a 2008 by-election following the death of former prime minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu.
He later served as education minister under former prime minister Derek Sikua, where he championed free basic education, expansion of tertiary education opportunities and the establishment of a national university.
Following the 2019 national election, Wale became opposition leader and was widely recognised for pushing governance reforms and transparency measures.
During the civil unrest in Solomon Islands in 2021, Wale publicly called for the resignation of then prime minister Manasseh Sogavare and filed a motion of no confidence against the government, although the motion was defeated at the time.
He again contested the prime ministership after the 2024 national election but lost to Jeremiah Manele, who secured 31 votes against Wale’s 18.
In 2025, Wale was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his political and public service.
Before entering politics, Wale was involved in civil society advocacy, peacebuilding initiatives during the ethnic tensions period and governance policy work in Solomon Islands.
Consultations on the formation of a new government and cabinet appointments are expected to continue in the coming days.
