17 PEOPLE IN MALAITA STAND IN WAY OF CHINA'S TAKEOVER OF THE SOLOMONS

‘Many of us have received phone calls from the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and 300,000 around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

- CLEO PASKAL

The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t over. In an exclusive interview, former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani tells The Sunday Guardian about the pitched political battle still raging in his province over who will be the next Premier, and why China is involved. But first, a summary of events so far.

SOLOMONS AND CHINA

Under the previous administration of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Solomons switched from Taiwan to China in 2019. Since then, China has turbo-charged its influence operations in the strategically located country, including signing a security agreement that allows for the deployment of Chinese security forces (including People’s Liberation Army) to protect Chinese citizens and business interests, as well as to put down civil unrest.

Beijing has invested large amounts of money, intelligence and effort into embedding in Solomons, and it had a compliant government in place. But, given the unpopularity of that government, it could all be derailed by an election that brought in a new government less friendly to China.

Also inconvenient for China, some of the mechanisms of state are still healthy in Solomons.

HOW SOLOMONS ELECTIONS WORK

Two elections were held at the same time on 17 April— national and provincial. Once the results are announced, the power shifts to the respective legislatures where the newly elected members select the Prime Minister (at the national level) and Premiers (provincial level) from among their numbers.

Given the loose political party system and large number of independents that means there is a protracted period in which the members negotiate amongst themselves until one group has the majority and can form a government with their leader as Prime Minister/Premier.