Former Malaita Premier Suidani given government-in-exile option discussions hosted by Washington DC
A GOVERNMENT-IN-EXILE is one of two options the United States reportedly discussed with former Premier Daniel Suidani in Washington DC in recent weeks, it was revealed this weekend.
The first one is funding his political campaign when he returns (to) Solomon Islands (SI) and the second is to assist him with a government in exile outside Solomon Islands (SI) if he loses the campaign, according to our sources.
The discussions in which these options were made could not be independently verified. This is because our email inquiry to Georgetown University on Friday night went unanswered.
Mr Suidani, accompanied by his political minder, Celsius Talifilu, are in the United States capital, Washington DC, at the invitation of Winrock International, sources have revealed.
The visit is reportedly part of a fundraising drive for Mr Suidani’s new party, U4C or Youth for Change, which intends to field candidates at next year’s national general election.
Mr Suidani and Mr Talifilu left Honiara for the United States via Fiji on 16th February. The controversial trip has since been shrouded in secrecy.
During the visit, Mr Suidani was due to speak at Georgetown University, apparently organised by Winrock International, according to sources deep inside Suidani’s M4D movement.
His speech, if not already delivered, would focus on how he was removed by a vote of no confidence in the MARA leadership on the floor of the Malaita Provincial Assembly in Auki on Tuesday 7th February this year.
Martin Fini, MPA for Ward 3, was subsequently elected unopposed three days later, as Premier. His new team has since set to work on a fundamental redirection policy underpinned by a three-pronged approach guided by One Hour, One Policy, One Direction.
Suidani and his MARA members never showed up when the vote was taken to elect a new Premier on Friday 10th February.
In his speech at Georgetown University, Mr Suidani was expected to tell his audience that the no confidence motion, which ousted him from power was “lacking of transparency”. He was also expected to touch on “how corrupt the national government is.”
As part of his effort to regain power. Mr Suidani and his advisor Talifilu, joined former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in a zoom last Wednesday afternoon. The trio talked about Suidani’s vision and challenges for Malaita, according to our sources.
“… it turned out to be just another fancy (and) empty promise to gain votes,” they said.
“All of these are Suidani’s new strategy to adopt propaganda, which is backed by Washington.
“Washington has provided two options for him. The first one is funding his political campaign when he returns (to) Solomon Islands (SI) and the second one is assisting him with a government in exile outside the Solomon Islands (SI) if he loses the campaign.”
Under this proposal, Malaita could be the domestic base for the so-called government in exile and a kind of puppet state (for the United States government).
“This is terrible,” the sources said.
By Alfred Sasako
