Governor General Urges Govt. to Set Date for Parliament Meet

Solomon Islands Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, has made a move to help resolve the political impasse between the government and the opposition group.

This comes amidst the on-going power struggle as the two groups continue to claim they have the support of a majority of MPs, which can only be tested with a vote in Parliament.

Earlier on in the week, Sir Nathaniel Waena had said in a nation-wide address that he did not have the power to convene Parliament.

Sir Nathaniel told the people of the Solomons that he could only act to call a Parliament meeting on the advice of the Prime Minister.

However, a letter to Sir Nathaniel from the country's controversial Attorney-General, Julian Moti, proposed to include the Governor General as a party to his intended legal proceedings against the Opposition.

The Governor General, in a letter written to both the prime minister and leader of the opposition, said he is perturbed by the move.

Sir Nathaniel said in view of the Attorney General's proposed action, he has now accepted a legal opinion that he can help to resolve the current political instability.

"The proposed action by the Attorney General, regarding my Office, may well sabotage my constitutional role and responsibility to resolve the impasse, through a Parliament meeting," the Governor General stated.

Sir Nathaniel said he is "constitutionally obliged to resolve the current political impasse by virtue of Standing Order 7(3), as read with Section 101(2) (b) and Section 103(1) of the Constitution".

"... Standing Order 7(3) alone would empower the Governor General to set a new date and time ... in consultation with the Prime Minister," the Governor General stated in his letter.

Sir Nathaniel said in view of the new development, he is most inclined "to now earnestly request the Hon. Prime Minister to urgently advise me, as a matter of prime exigency, 'in confidence', of a new date and time".