2023 Solomon Islands protests
{{Short description|Crisis in Solomon Islands}}
In February 2023, protests broke out in the Solomon Islands.
Background
The country previously was hit by mass unrest and deadly riots in November 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-26 |title=Solomon Islands violence recedes but not underlying tension |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-violence-australia-riots-race-and-ethnicity-3787313a6a1f8b863427b066b0dcbbaa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128193852/https://apnews.com/article/china-violence-australia-riots-race-and-ethnicity-3787313a6a1f8b863427b066b0dcbbaa |archive-date=28 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-27 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} The Guadalcanal Landowner Defendant Force (GLODF) threatened to protest during the 2023 Pacific Games.{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Eliott |date=17 April 2022 |title=Group threatens protests during Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games over unreturned land |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121980/group-threatens-protest-pacific-games |website=insidethegames}} The Solomon Islands has recently been deepening ties with China over their historic primary ally the United States.{{Cite web |last1=Power |first1=John |last2=Hale |first2=Erin |date=1 September 2023 |title=China's 'replica' guns for Solomon Islands likely real, US cable claimed |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/9/1/china-likely-shipped-real-guns-to-solomon-islands-not-replicas-us-claimed |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} This was a concern of Australia and the Biden Administration.{{Cite web |title=Australia 'concerned' by China-Solomon Islands policing deal |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/11/australia-concerned-by-china-solomon-islands-policing-deal |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
Events
On 2 February 2023, the United States reopened its embassy in the country after a 30-year absence.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-02 |title=Solomon Islands: US reopens embassy in push to counter China |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64494244 |access-date=2023-02-07}} On 7 February 2023, Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani was removed from office after a vote of no confidence from the provincial legislature.{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-02-07 |title=Solomon Islands ousts official critical of close relations with China |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-ousts-official-critical-close-relations-with-china-abc-2023-02-07/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Protests in Solomon Islands after China-skeptic's ousting |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-07/protests-in-solomon-islands-after-china-skeptics/101941692 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Erin |title=In the Solomon Islands, a US agency's struggles hint at China's influence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/12/5/in-the-solomon-islands-a-us-agencys-struggles-hint-at-chinas-influence |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Suidani had pushed for independence from the central government.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-07 |title=Solomons govt says Malaita independence referendum illegal |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/425464/solomons-govt-says-malaita-independence-referendum-illegal |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} As premier he did not recognise the One China Policy of the government.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=Solomon Islands govt dismisses anti-China ex-provincial leader |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487442/solomon-islands-govt-dismisses-anti-china-ex-provincial-leader |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} Under Suidani, Malaita's provincial assembly opposed the diplomatic switch to from Taiwan to the PRC.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Solomon Islands politician critical of China relations ousted as Malaita premier |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/malaita-premier-02072023004025.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en}} Suidani was accused of misappropriating funds.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=Vocal China critic and Solomon Islands Premier faces political crisis |url=https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/solssuidanivote/101938860 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=ABC Pacific |language=en-AU}} His supporters stated that his criticism of China was the reason for his removal.{{Cite web |title=China-sceptic leader of Solomon Islands largest province removed |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/7/china-sceptic-leader-of-solomon-islands-largest-province-ousted |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
As a result, protests were held in Auki.{{Cite news |last=Piringi |first=Charley |date=2023-02-07 |title=Protests in Solomon Islands as key China critic politician is ousted in no confidence vote |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/protests-in-solomon-islands-as-key-china-critic-politician-is-ousted-in-no-confidence-vote |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0261-3077}} The protests were in Malaita province.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Islands: Protests around Malaita province no-confidence vote dispersed while nurses' union remains suspended |url=https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/solomon-islands-protests-around-malaita-province-no-confidence-vote-dispersed-while-nurses-union-remains-suspended/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Civicus Monitor |language=en}} There were reports of police teargassing protesters.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-07 |title=Unrest in Solomon Islands after prominent China critic Daniel Suidani ousted as provincial premier |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-07/protests-in-auki-solomon-islands-as-premier-loses-vote/101940742 |access-date=2025-05-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}
Consequences
Suidani was succeeded by Martin Fini.{{Cite web |last=Iroga |first=Robert |date=2023-02-10 |title=Fini New Premier Of Malaita After Waneta Withdraws From Race — Solomon Business Magazine |url=https://sbm.sb/fini-new-premier-of-malaita-after-waneta-withdraws-from-race/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |language=en-US}} The April 2024 Solomon Islands general election was considered important for China–United States relations.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-17 |title=Solomon Islands: The Pacific election being closely watched by China and the West |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-68824299 |access-date=2025-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} In October 2024, Daniel Suidani was arrested and charged in relation to unlawful protests.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-04 |title=Ex-Solomon Islands provincial leader and China critic charged for organising unlawful protests |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/529861/ex-solomon-islands-provincial-leader-and-china-critic-charged-for-organising-unlawful-protests |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}