Solomon Islands election count underway, China critic Suidani regains seat
April 19 (Reuters) - Daniel Suidani, a prominent Solomon Islands critic of China who was former Malaita province premier, has been reelected to the provincial assembly, as counting continues on Friday in the key Pacific island nation's election.
The elections are the first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022 and drew the Pacific Islands nation closer to Beijing, in moves that concerned the U.S. and Australia because of the potential impact on regional security.
Results in national and provincial elections held in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday are being announced over several days, closely watched by China, the U.S. and Australia.
Suidani, whose new political party U4C also ran candidates in the national election, was reelected to the Malaita provincial assembly, he confirmed to Reuters on Friday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/solomon-islands-election-count-underway-china-critic-suidani-regains-seat-2024-04-18/
