Daniel Suidani
{{Short description|Solomon Islands politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Honourable
| name = Daniel Suidani
| image = Pacific Partnership 2022 visits Kilu’ufi Provincial Hospital 220907-N-AU520-1104 (cropped).jpg
| governor-general = Frank Kabui
David Vunagi
| office = Premier of Malaita Province
| term_start = June 2019
| term_end = 7 February 2023
| predecessor = ?
| successor = Martin Fini{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Iroga |title=Fini new premier of Malaita after Waneta withdraws from race |url=https://sbm.sb/fini-new-premier-of-malaita-after-waneta-withdraws-from-race/# |work=Solomon Business Magazine |date=2023-02-10 |access-date=2020-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218095859/https://sbm.sb/fini-new-premier-of-malaita-after-waneta-withdraws-from-race/ |archive-date=2023-02-18 |url-status=live}}
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Umi for Change Party{{cite web | url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidani-to-create-political-party/ | title=Suidani to Create Political Party | date=11 May 2022 }}
| alma_mater =
| website =
}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Piringi |first1=Charley |title=Protests in Solomon Islands as key China critic politician is ousted in no confidence vote |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=7 February 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=7 February 2023}}
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.{{cite news|last=Talbot|first=Jonathan|date=12 July 2021|title=Solomon Islands provincial leader Daniel Suidani alleges he was offered 'bribes' by China|work=Sky News Australia|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/china/solomon-islands-provincial-leader-daniel-suidani-alleges-he-was-offered-bribes-by-china/news-story/e6a43f6c45a947f60845ead30d1c5611}} Suidani has in turn been accused of accepting bribes from the Taiwanese government.{{cite news|date=11 June 2020|title=Solomons province chastised for pro-Taiwan stance|work=Radio NZ|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/418746/solomons-province-chastised-for-pro-taiwan-stance|access-date=23 June 2020}}
In 2020, Suidani held an independence referendum for Malaita Province, which was dismissed as illegitimate by the central government.{{Cite news|last1=Kaye|first1=Ron|last2=Packham|first2=Colin|date=25 November 2021|title=Australia to deploy police, military to Solomon Islands as protests spread|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/solomon-islands-enters-36-hour-lockdown-after-protests-turn-violent-2021-11-25/|access-date=26 November 2021}}
In October 2021, a motion of no confidence was filed against Suidani, but was withdrawn after protests erupted in support of him.{{cite news|url=https://www.solomontimes.com/news/people-power-motion-against-suidani-withdrawn/11194|title=People Power: Motion Against Suidani Withdrawn|first=Samson|last=Sade|date=27 October 2021|work=Solomon Times Online}} He condemned international interference in the November 2021 Solomon Islands unrest.{{Cite news|date=2021-11-29|title=Australian intervention in Solomon Islands 'not helpful', says province Premier|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-29/solomon-islands-province-premier-says-australian-intervention/100659444|access-date=2021-12-13}} On 7 February 2023, he 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}}
In 2022, Suidani founded the Umi for Change Party.{{cite news |last1=Waikori |first1=Samie |date=10 October 2022 |title=Premier Suidani forms new political party |url=https://theislandsun.com.sb/premier-suidani-forms-new-political-party/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602110104/https://theislandsun.com.sb/premier-suidani-forms-new-political-party/ |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=The Island Sun |location=Auki}}
In a letter dated March 20, 2023, the Solomon Islands government declared Suidani "unfit for office" due to his stand against China. 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.{{cite news |first=|last=|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 |work=Radio New Zealand International |date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2020-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407050150/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487442/solomon-islands-govt-dismisses-anti-china-ex-provincial-leader |archive-date=2023-04-07 |url-status=live}} Suidani and his supporters accused Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of being behind his ouster vowed the appeal his ban from office.
In 2024, Suidani was reelected to the seat in Malaita Provincial Assembly.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Stephen |date=18 April 2024 |title=Early Solomon Islands election results show shakeup in most populous province |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/solomon-islands-election-results-04182024231720.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424124027/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/solomon-islands-election-results-04182024231720.html |archive-date=24 April 2024 |access-date=7 May 2024 |work=Radio Free Asia}}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Suidani, Daniel}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Premiers of Malaita Province
Category:Members of the Malaita Provincial Assembly
Category:21st-century politicians
Category:People from Malaita Province
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