BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE President of the Vella House of Chiefs has refused to attend the recent enthronement of chiefs at Paraso, sparking questions over the legality and recognition of the newly enthroned leaders.

Reports reaching Island Sun indicate that the disagreement stemmed from the appointment of chiefs to lead various tribes, with concerns that the latest enthronement contradicts the roles and authority of other chiefs who were enthroned last year.

According to the report, the president’s absence was interpreted by some as a rejection of the process, raising uncertainty among communities about whether the newly appointed chiefs would be formally recognised by the Vella House of Chiefs.

However, Chief Rence Sore has dismissed claims that the president’s decision represented the position of the Vella House of Chiefs as a whole.

He said any decision to boycott or oppose a chiefs’ enthronement must be collectively agreed upon by the entire Vella House of Chiefs body.

Sore said the action had overshadowed the integrity and leadership expected of the office.

“The Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Vella House of Chiefs were present during our chiefs’ enthronement programme.

“Only the president was not present, and I do not know the reasons for his absence,” he said.

Sore said the dispute highlights growing divisions within the Vella House of Chiefs and has raised broader concerns about unity, customary leadership, and the proper processes for enthroning chiefs in the area.