Solomon Islands Prime Minister fires chief of staff over Vietnam deal

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has sacked his chief of staff, Mack Faddean Aoraunisaka, after an "unauthorised" deal with two Vietnamese firms last week.

RNZ Pacific understands that Aoraunisaka "coerced" Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Minister Jaimie Vokia into travelling to Vietnam and meeting with multinational consulting firm SI Group with which he has a connection.

There, they signed a controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which would give SI Group and its client, Growmax (a fisheries company), special commercial privileges.

Vokia now faces a "disciplinary process" and possible expulsion as a minister.

On Friday, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister's Office issued a press statement to farewell Aoraunisaka.

It stated that Aoraunisaka was "instrumental in the development and implementation of the Government for National Unity and Transformation policy during his tenure".

However, Manele told a news conference the next day that his office is reviewing the relevant protocols, and that all ministers and staff are on notice.

"I'm reminding my ministers that they must get permission to travel...they have to remember that any MOUs have to come to Cabinet to get a mandate."

"Let me be clear, the MOU that was signed is non-binding."

Sacked: Mack Faddean Aoraunisaka. Photo/Solomon Islands government

On Sunday, the Foreign Investment Division in the Ministry of Commerce issued a statement saying SI Group has no legal right to conduct business in the Solomons.

"[SI Group's] presence in the Solomon Islands carrying out commercial activity without foreign investment approval or company incorporation violates the laws of this country."

In 2024, parliament passed legislation allowing the government to create geographical zones, within which certain regulations or taxes can be bypassed.

These SEZs can be established by corporations in partnership with the government to produce exports, store and process goods, conduct business services, or for tourism development.

Incentives include wide-ranging tax and duty exemptions, automatic work permits for foreign employees, business visas, and the creation of "sub-zones" spread out across the whole country.

Despite the controversy, Manele told reporters that the government will still push ahead with its SEZ policy.

Photo/Supplied

Vietnam connection

According to its website, SI Group describes itself as "the premier provider of global immigration solutions, trading consultancy, import-export business, and international real estate investment".

The group claims to have operations in 20 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

Vokia travelled alongside Aoraunisaka and one other staffer to SI Group's headquarters to sign the MOU before 2 June.

A co-signatory to the MOU was Growmax Group, which describes itself as "Vietnam's leading professional shrimp industry group".

Vokia agreed to an SEZ with SI Group and Growmax that would grant commercial privileges for numerous different projects.

These included a shrimp farm, fisheries processing hub, gold and bauxite mines, a hospital, vocational training centres, a logistics hub with cold storage, energy, water and telecom infrastructure, and a "dedicated SEZ bank".

There would also be "a luxury resort, casino, and golf course", even though the SEZ legislation explicitly excludes casinos.

The MOU set out a six-month timeframe to formalise the SEZ agreement, including finalising the "legal and regulatory frameworks".

SI Group would have a special "strategic adviser and priority investor" with the role of "supporting legal, financial, and regulatory alignment to attract long-term investment".

They described the Solomons as "positioning itself as a new frontier for global investment".

RNZ understands that Aoranunisaka has connections within the SI Group.

Aoraunisaka featured in an SI Group press release from April 2025 entitled "Solomon Island government reaffirms citizenship is not for sale", which hinted at the potential for a citizenship by investment programme, or golden passport, in the future.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, left, with his Vietnam counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice, France, on 9 June (local time). Photo/VNA

"The [government] remains committed to establishing, if pursued, a Citizenship by Investment program based on rigorous due diligence, transparency, robust regulation, and above all, the preservation of Solomon Islands' sovereignty and national pride."

"The necessary legislative, regulatory, and operational frameworks are still under development."

Political reactions

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Manele told RNZ Pacific that Vokia has not yet been sacked or suspended.

"The Prime Minister's decision on what action to take is yet to be known," the spokesperson said.

The Kadare Party, of which Vokia is the sole member in parliament, came to the defence of SI Group on Tuesday.

SI Group is sponsoring a free concert to promote the Kadare Party on 12 July, starring dancehall reggae artist Busy Signal.

In a news conference with a SI Group senior director by his side, party executive member Martin Housanau defended their presence in the Solomons.

"The event that is happening now is a non-commissioned activity, and under the laws, it doesn't benefit [the SI Group] in any way...from convening [the event]."

Aoraunisaka has been replaced by former MP Douglas Ete.

SI Group did not respond to RNZ Pacific's request for comment.

This article was first published by RNZ Pacific. It has been edited for clarity.