The opposition has won the majority in the Solomon Islands’ main province after the ousting of the anti-China leader. The Solomon Islands Democratic Party won 17 of the 29 seats in the Guadalcanal provincial assembly, while the ruling Guadalcanal Plains Party won 12 seats. This is a major shift in power, as the GPP had held power in the province since 2013. The ousting of the leader was reportedly due to his strong anti-China stance. This has raised concerns in the region, as China has grown increasingly active in the Pacific Islands.
By Lucy Craymer
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The opposition has won a majority in the assembly of the Solomon Islands’ most populous province after Daniel Suidani, a vocal critic of the country’s relationship with China, lost a vote of no confidence, an aide to the ousted leader said on Wednesday.
Celsus Taliflu, the adviser, said in an interview that if a new government were formed in Malaita province, it would support the federal government’s pro-China stance.
“When the new government arrives in Malaita, we suspect the first thing they would do is make a public statement recognizing China,” Taliflu said.
The legality of the no-confidence motion remains before the court, he added.
Suidani is a longtime critic of the country’s deepening ties with China and has been vocal in opposing the switch in 2019 of recognizing the Solomon Islands from Taiwan to China.
He banned Chinese companies from the province, accepted development aid from the United States and even received medical treatment in Taiwan. This has put him at odds with the central government, whose relationship with China has grown stronger, culminating in the signing of a security pact between the two countries last year.
A government spokesman in Honiara said that following Tuesday’s no-confidence vote, those who voted against Suidani are now in talks to propose a new leader.
“Once they have completed the nomination, the Speaker will call another meeting, expected to be held this Friday, so that the vote on the new prime minister can proceed,” he said.
Suidani was overthrown in a unanimous vote of no confidence. However, Suidani and his supporters boycotted the vote as they waited for the court to hear a motion to postpone the vote, Taliflu said. The court later denied the motion, but further legal action is pending.
He added that Suidani’s supporters returned home after a small protest that ended with police using tear gas. A similar fight broke out on Tuesday.
The government official said that more police officers were sent to Malaita to ensure law and order during the leadership transition.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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