Daniel Suidani

Daniel Suidani is a Solomon Islands politician who served as the Premier of Malaita Province from June 2019 until his ouster in a no confidence vote in February 2023.[3]

The Honourable
Daniel Suidani
Premier of Malaita Province
In office
June 2019 – 7 February 2023
Governors-GeneralFrank Kabui
David Vunagi
Preceded by?
Succeeded byMartin Fini[1]
Personal details
BornMalaita Province, Solomon Islands
Political partySolomon Islands for Peace and Development[2]

Tenure

During Suidani's tenure as Premier of Malaita Province, the Solomon Islands government officially switched diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China. Suidani was highly critical of this decision, alleging that the Chinese government offered bribes to him in exchange for political allegiance.[4] Suidani has in turn been accused of accepting bribes from the Taiwanese government.[5]

In 2020, Suidani held an independence referendum for Malaita Province, which was dismissed as illegitimate by the central government.[6]

In October 2021, a motion of no confidence was filed against Suidani, but was withdrawn after protests erupted in support of him.[7] He condemned international interference in the November 2021 Solomon Islands unrest.[8] On 7 February 2023, he was removed from office after a vote of no confidence from the provincial legislature.[9]

In a letter dated March 20, 2023, the Solomon Islands government declared Suidani "unfit for office" due to his stand against China.[10] National Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso disqualified Suidani from holding his seat in the Malaita Provincial Assembly and the Speaker of the Malaita Provincial Assembly, Ronnie Butafa, was advised by the government to declare Suidani's seat - Ward 5 of Baegu-West Fataleka - officially vacant.[10] Suidani and his supported accused Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of being behind his ouster vowed the appeal his ban from office.[10]

References
  1. Iroga, Robert (2023-02-10). "Fini new premier of Malaita after Waneta withdraws from race". Solomon Business Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
  2. "Suidani to Create Political Party".
  3. Piringi, Charley (7 February 2023). "Protests in Solomon Islands as key China critic politician is ousted in no confidence vote". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  4. Talbot, Jonathan (12 July 2021). "Solomon Islands provincial leader Daniel Suidani alleges he was offered 'bribes' by China". Sky News Australia.
  5. "Solomons province chastised for pro-Taiwan stance". Radio NZ. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. Kaye, Ron; Packham, Colin (25 November 2021). "Australia to deploy police, military to Solomon Islands as protests spread". Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  7. Sade, Samson (27 October 2021). "People Power: Motion Against Suidani Withdrawn". Solomon Times Online.
  8. "Australian intervention in Solomon Islands 'not helpful', says province Premier". ABC News. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  9. "Solomon Islands ousts official critical of close relations with China". Reuters. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  10. "Solomon Islands govt dismisses anti-China ex-provincial leader". Radio New Zealand International. 2023-04-06. Archived from the original on 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2020-04-10.


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