Category: Malaita

GoFundMe Freezes Over $27k in Funds Raised for Solomon Islands’ Prominent China Critic

The GoFundMe website allegedly withheld over $27,800 in funds for the legal defense of Daniel Suidani, a former provincial premier of the Solomon Islands and vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Youtube channel China Uncensored launched the crowdfunding campaign on April 16 to raise funds for Suidani’s trip to the United States…


Anti-Beijing Law to Be Removed by New Solomons Provincial Leader

U.S. and Australian efforts to out-compete Beijing in winning over the Solomon Islands look to be on the ropes after the most-populous Malaita Province pledged to axe the Auki Communique, a bulwark against Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interference in the region. New Premier Martin Fini is considering removing the document after his government wrested power from former…


Solomon Islands Government Ousts Provincial Leader, Long-Time Critic of CCP

The pro-Beijing Solomons national government has finally got its man. Daniel Suidani, the premier of the most populous Malaita Province, has, for years, been a political hurdle standing in the way of closer ties with the Chinese Communist Party. On Feb. 7, Suidani faced another no-confidence vote against his leadership, and this time, the dissenters…


Australia, NZ Intervention Prolonging Rule of Unpopular, Pro-Beijing Solomons Leader: Pacific Expert

Australia and New Zealand should adopt a hands-off approach to the Solomon Islands and leave embattled Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to deal with Beijing-linked bribery allegations and deep dissatisfaction with his rule, according to a South Pacific expert. Cleo Paskal, an associate fellow of the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, said last November’s intervention from…


New Zealand Dispatches Troops, Police to the Solomons to Assist in Restoring ‘Law and Order’

New Zealand (NZ) will send troops and police to assist Australian, Papua New Guinean, and Fijian forces on the ground of the Solomon Islands, where rioting has left three people dead and several buildings burned to the ground. NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government was “deeply concerned” by the civil unrest in the…