Daniel Suidani
Daniel Suidani | |
|---|---|
Suidani in 2022 | |
| Premier of Malaita Province | |
| In office June 2019 – 7 February 2023 | |
| Governors-General | Frank Kabui David Vunagi |
| Preceded by | Peter Ramohia |
| Succeeded by | Martin Fini[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 Malaita Province, Solomon Islands |
| Died | (aged 55) Honiara, Solomon Islands |
| Party | Umi for Change Party[2] |
| Spouse | Margaret Mini |
| Alma mater | Honiara Solomon Islands College of Higher Education |
Daniel Suidani (1970 – 21 October 2025) was a Solomon Islander politician who served as the Premier of Malaita Province from June 2019 until his ousting in a no confidence vote in February 2023.[3]
Life and career
Suidani was born in 1970, on Malaita Island in Malaita Province. After graduating from the Honiara College of Higher Education at the age of 19, he initially worked as an elementary school teacher before switching to working for a timber and urban construction company.[4]
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 (China). Suidani was highly critical of this decision, alleging that the Chinese government offered bribes to him in exchange for political allegiance.[5] Suidani has in turn been accused of accepting bribes from the Taiwanese government.[6]
In 2020, Suidani held an independence referendum for Malaita Province, which was dismissed as illegitimate by the central government.[7]
In October 2021, a motion of no confidence was filed against Suidani, but was withdrawn after protests erupted in support of him.[8] He condemned international interference in the 2021 Solomon Islands unrest.[9] On 7 February 2023, he was removed from office after a vote of no confidence from the provincial legislature.[10]
In 2022, Suidani founded the Umi for Change Party.[2]
In a letter dated 20 March 2023, the Solomon Islands government declared Suidani "unfit for office" due to his stand against China.[11] 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.[11] Suidani and his supporters accused Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of being behind his ousting and vowed to appeal his ban from office.[11] Afterwards protests broke out.[12]
In 2024, Suidani was reelected to the seat in Malaita Provincial Assembly.[13]
Suidani died at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, on 21 October 2025, at the age of 55.[14][15]
References
- ^ Iroga, Robert (10 February 2023). "Fini new premier of Malaita after Waneta withdraws from race". Solomon Business Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ a b Waikori, Samie (10 October 2022). "Premier Suidani forms new political party". The Island Sun. Auki. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fukushima, Kaori (15 November 2023). "台湾から中国に外交スイッチしたソロモン諸島のいま". dotworld (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ Talbot, Jonathan (12 July 2021). "Solomon Islands provincial leader Daniel Suidani alleges he was offered 'bribes' by China". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ^ "Solomons province chastised for pro-Taiwan stance". Radio NZ. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Kaye, Ron; Packham, Colin (25 November 2021). "Australia to deploy police, military to Solomon Islands as protests spread". Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ Sade, Samson (27 October 2021). "People Power: Motion Against Suidani Withdrawn". Solomon Times Online. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Australian intervention in Solomon Islands 'not helpful', says province Premier". ABC News. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ "Solomon Islands ousts official critical of close relations with China". Reuters. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Solomon Islands govt dismisses anti-China ex-provincial leader". Radio New Zealand International. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ Piringi, Charley (7 February 2023). "Protests in Solomon Islands as key China critic politician is ousted in no confidence vote". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ Wright, Stephen (18 April 2024). "Early Solomon Islands election results show shakeup in most populous province". Radio Free Asia. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Daniel Suidani, outspoken former Malaita premier and China critic dies in Honiara". Radio New Zealand. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Needham, Kirsty (21 October 2025). "Solomon Islands critic of China, Daniel Suidani, dies on eve of protest court ruling". Reuters. Retrieved 22 October 2025.