GREAT Coalition to legislate customary consent and expand community peace programme

Honiara, 11 August 2026: The GREAT Coalition is moving to legislate Free, Prior and Informed Consent for customary landowners and expand its community peacebuilding programme as part of efforts to secure lasting peace and development.

Responding to the Speech from the Throne in Parliament last week, Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Hon. George Temahua, said addressing customary land was central to national stability.

“Twenty-five years after the tensions, we have made progress, but the peace dividend remains fragile because many of the root causes remain unresolved,” Mr Temahua told Parliament.

“One of those root causes is customary land. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified customary land disputes as a major driver of conflict. If we are serious about lasting peace, we must address this issue with courage, wisdom and partnership.”

Mr Temahua said customary land was “identity, heritage and sacred trust” and development could not succeed unless that reality was respected.

To change the relationship between Government and landowners, the Ministry is developing a Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Bill.

The proposed law will provide statutory recognition of customary consent and strengthen partnerships between Government, Provincial Governments and customary authorities.

“This Government is committed to changing the relationship from one of consultation alone to one of genuine partnership,” he said.

“Indigenous leaders and customary landowners must have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their inheritance.”

The Minister said the FPIC Bill complements the work of the Ministry of Lands. While Lands focuses on administration, his Ministry focuses on the relationships, trust and consent that underpin customary ownership.

On peacebuilding, Mr Temahua said the Ministry was shifting from post-conflict response to “development-led peace” through the Community Password (COMPASS) Programme.

COMPASS provides consultation, leadership training, research and partnership to help communities resolve disputes and participate in development. Early implementation in Guadalcanal and Ngella has shown encouraging results.

The programme is now expanding to Guadalcanal, Central, Malaita, Western and Choiseul Provinces, with a target of partnering with 147 communities by the end of 2027.

Mr Temahua also announced increased support for traditional institutions. The 2026 Budget includes increased Constituency Church Grants, and in 2027 the Government will provide administrative support to the respective Houses of Chiefs to carry out their responsibilities.

“Our churches and traditional leaders remain the moral and social foundation of our communities,” he said. “Together, these institutions will be key partners in strengthening governance, peace and community development.”

Concluding, the Minister said Solomon Islands stood at a crossroads.

“We can continue carrying the burdens of past misunderstandings, or we can choose a new path built on reconciliation, partnership and shared prosperity. Our land is not our curse — it is a blessing God entrusted.”

-ENDS-