2023 Solomon Islands protests

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In February 2023, protests broke out in the Solomon Islands.

Contents

Background

The country previously was hit by mass unrest and deadly riots in November 2021. [1] The Guadalcanal Landowner Defendant Force (GLODF) threatened to protest during the 2023 Pacific Games. [2] The Solomon Islands has recently been deepening ties with China over their historic primary ally the United States. [3] This was a concern of Australia and the Biden Administration. [4]

Events

On 2 February 2023, the United States reopened its embassy in the country after a 30-year absence. [5] On 7 February 2023, Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani was removed from office after a vote of no confidence from the provincial legislature. [6] [7] [8] Suidani had pushed for independence from the central government. [9] As premier he did not recognise the One China Policy of the government. [10] Under Suidani, Malaita's provincial assembly opposed the diplomatic switch to from Taiwan to the PRC. [11] Suidani was accused of misappropriating funds. [12] His supporters stated that his criticism of China was the reason for his removal. [13]

As a result, protests were held in Auki. [14] The protests were in Malaita province. [15] There were reports of police teargassing protesters. [16]

Consequences

Suidani was succeeded by Martin Fini. [17] The April 2024 Solomon Islands general election was considered important for China–United States relations. [18] In October 2024, Daniel Suidani was arrested and charged in relation to unlawful protests. [19]

References

  1. ↑ "Solomon Islands violence recedes but not underlying tension". AP NEWS. 2021-11-26. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  2. ↑ Brennan, Eliott (17 April 2022). "Group threatens protests during Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games over unreturned land". insidethegames.
  3. ↑ Power, John; Hale, Erin (1 September 2023). "China's 'replica' guns for Solomon Islands likely real, US cable claimed". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  4. ↑ "Australia 'concerned' by China-Solomon Islands policing deal". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  5. ↑ "Solomon Islands: US reopens embassy in push to counter China". BBC News. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  6. ↑ "Solomon Islands ousts official critical of close relations with China". Reuters. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  7. ↑ "Protests in Solomon Islands after China-skeptic's ousting". www.abc.net.au. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  8. ↑ Hale, Erin. "In the Solomon Islands, a US agency's struggles hint at China's influence". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  9. ↑ "Solomons govt says Malaita independence referendum illegal". RNZ. 2020-09-07. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  10. ↑ "Solomon Islands govt dismisses anti-China ex-provincial leader". RNZ. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  11. ↑ "Solomon Islands politician critical of China relations ousted as Malaita premier". Radio Free Asia. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  12. ↑ "Vocal China critic and Solomon Islands Premier faces political crisis". ABC Pacific. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  13. ↑ "China-sceptic leader of Solomon Islands largest province removed". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  14. ↑ Piringi, Charley (2023-02-07). "Protests in Solomon Islands as key China critic politician is ousted in no confidence vote". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  15. ↑ "Solomon Islands: Protests around Malaita province no-confidence vote dispersed while nurses' union remains suspended". Civicus Monitor. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  16. ↑ "Unrest in Solomon Islands after prominent China critic Daniel Suidani ousted as provincial premier". ABC News. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  17. ↑ Iroga, Robert (2023-02-10). "Fini New Premier Of Malaita After Waneta Withdraws From Race — Solomon Business Magazine" . Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  18. ↑ "Solomon Islands: The Pacific election being closely watched by China and the West". BBC News. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  19. ↑ "Ex-Solomon Islands provincial leader and China critic charged for organising unlawful protests". RNZ. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
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