Pacific leaders, led by Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, have been accused of overstepping their authority by declaring an emergency over looming fuel shortages without consulting all member countries. Manele claimed they had invoked the Biketawa Declaration, a regional emergency response mechanism, but the PIF Secretariat has contradicted this, stating that only a consultation process had been agreed upon. The incident has created confusion and uncertainty among Pacific nations, with some questioning Manele's motives, particularly given his precarious domestic position. Despite the controversy, many Pacific leaders agree that a region-wide response to the fuel shortage crisis is necessary, and several ideas are being considered, including redirecting fuel from the US military and forming a single buying bloc to secure oil on the international market.