Reuters
A prominent Solomon Islands critic of China, the ousted former governor of Malaita province Daniel Suidani, has been reelected, local media reported on Friday, as counting continues in an election being closely watched by China, the U.S. and Australia. The first results in national and provincial elections held in the Solomon Islands are expected to be announced on Friday, as counting continues over the weekend. The national election is 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.