Governor-General of the Solomon Islands

Governor-General of Solomon Islands
Coat of Arms of Solomon Islands
Flag of the Governor-General
Incumbent Sir Frank Kabui GCMG CSI OBE since 7 July 2009
Viceroy
Style	His Excellency
Appointer	Monarch of Solomon Islands
Term length	At Her Majesty's pleasure
Formation	7 July 1978
First holder	Sir Baddeley Devesi

The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the resident representative of the King or Queen of Solomon Islands, currently Elizabeth II. The Queen does not reside in the country but appoints a Governor-General to act on her behalf, subordinate to her, for a five-year term. Although the office holds considerable reserve powers, it is largely a symbolic figurehead position with little day-to-day involvement in government.

Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm and, following independence in 1978, adopted a constitutional monarchy based on, but separate from, that of the United Kingdom. Prior to the country's independence and the establishment of this office, the islands were governed by a Governor and the Executive Council.

The Governors-General of the majority of Commonwealth realms are nominated by the Prime Minister of each realm and appointed by the Queen but in Solomon Islands, the Governor-General is nominated by the National Parliament by vote and appointed by the Queen. Although the nominee is elected by Parliament the Queen is not bound to accept that nomination for appointment, although she is likely to dissent only in extraordinary circumstances.

The current Governor-General is Sir Frank Kabui, a former High Court judge,^[1] who was nominated for appointment on 15 June 2009 after four rounds of voting. Kabui polled 30 votes, Edmund Andresen eight votes and the outgoing Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena seven votes.^[2]

Governors-General of Solomon Islands

№	Name (Birth–Death)	Tenure		Notes
		Took Office	Left Office
1	Sir Baddeley Devesi (1941–2012)	7 July 1978	7 July 1988	Served as Governor-General for two consecutive terms.
2	Sir George Lepping (1947–2014)	7 July 1988	6 July 1994[3]
3	Sir Moses Pitakaka (1945–2011)	7 July 1994	7 July 1999
4	Sir John Lapli (1955–)	7 July 1999	7 July 2004	Held as hostage by the MEF rebels for a few days in June 2000.
5	Sir Nathaniel Waena (1945–)	7 July 2004	7 July 2009
6	Sir Frank Kabui (1946–)	7 July 2009	Incumbent

See also

• List of Resident Commissioners and Governors of the Solomon Islands

References

1. "Frank Kabui the new Governor General in Solomon Islands". Radio New Zealand International.
2. "Frank Kabui is New Governor General". Solomon Times. 15 June 2009.
3. "LATE SIR GEORGE LEPPING IS MERITORIOUS STATESMAN: PM SOGAVARE". Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2016. He served as the second Governor-General of Solomon Islands from 7th July 1988 to 6th July 1994.