Derek Sikua
Encyclopedia
David Derek Sikua served as the ninth Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from December 20, 2007 to August 25, 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party
.
. He was Under Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from April 1993 to February 1994, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from February 1994 to November 1997, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Conservation from November 1997 to January 1998, Permanent Secretary with Special Duties at the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from May 2003 to September 7, 2003, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from September 8, 2003 to December 31, 2005.
He was elected to the National Parliament
in April 2006 (as MP
for the North East Guadalcanal
constituency
) and became Minister of Education and Human Resources Development under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
on May 4, 2006. He joined the opposition in November 2007. After Sogavare was defeated on December 13, 2007 in a motion of no-confidence, which was put forward by Sikua, Sikua was the opposition's candidate to replace him. He was elected Prime Minister by Parliament on December 20, 2007, receiving 32 votes against 15 for government candidate Patteson Oti. He was sworn in on the same day, and his Cabinet was sworn in on December 21 and December 22.
He lost power following the August 2010 general election
. Though he retained his seat in Parliament, as the sole MP for the Liberal Party, he did not contest the premiership, and Danny Philip
succeeded him. On March 29, 2011, he was elected Leader of the Opposition
.
Solomon Islands Liberal Party
The Solomon Islands Liberal Party is a political party in the Solomon Islands, which was led by Bartholomew Ulufa'alu from its founding in 1988 until Ulufa’alu’s death in May 2007. Prior to the 1997 elections it formed the Solomon Islands Alliance for Change along with several other parties...
.
Career
Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village in Guadalcanal ProvinceGuadalcanal Province
Guadalcanal Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands, consisting of the island of Guadalcanal. It is a 2,510 square mile island and is largely a jungle. Its name was given by Pedro de Ortega Valencia, born in the village of Guadalcanal in Seville, Spain...
. He was Under Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from April 1993 to February 1994, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from February 1994 to November 1997, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Conservation from November 1997 to January 1998, Permanent Secretary with Special Duties at the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from May 2003 to September 7, 2003, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development from September 8, 2003 to December 31, 2005.
He was elected to the National Parliament
National Parliament of the Solomon Islands
The National Parliament of Solomon Islands has 50 members, elected for a four year term in 50 single-seat constituencies.It is presided by a Speaker - currently Sir Allan Kemakeza.-Latest elections:-Members:...
in April 2006 (as MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the North East Guadalcanal
North East Guadalcanal
North East Guadalcanal is a parliamentary constituency electing one representative to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands. It is one of eight constituencies in Guadalcanal Province. It had an electorate of 5,584 in 2006....
constituency
Constituencies in Solomon Islands
There are 50 constituencies in Solomon Islands, each electing one Member of Parliament to the National Parliament. Elections are held every four years; the most recent took place on April 5, 2006...
) and became Minister of Education and Human Resources Development under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
Manasseh Sogavare
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare was the sixth Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2007. He has served in the National Parliament as Member for East Choiseul since 1997, and he is currently the Leader of the Opposition.-Biography:Sogavare was Permanent...
on May 4, 2006. He joined the opposition in November 2007. After Sogavare was defeated on December 13, 2007 in a motion of no-confidence, which was put forward by Sikua, Sikua was the opposition's candidate to replace him. He was elected Prime Minister by Parliament on December 20, 2007, receiving 32 votes against 15 for government candidate Patteson Oti. He was sworn in on the same day, and his Cabinet was sworn in on December 21 and December 22.
He lost power following the August 2010 general election
Solomon Islands general election, 2010
A general election was held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date...
. Though he retained his seat in Parliament, as the sole MP for the Liberal Party, he did not contest the premiership, and Danny Philip
Danny Philip
Danny Philip is a politician and diplomat from the Solomon Islands. He is the current Prime Minister, who came into office after the 2010 general election. He served as foreign minister from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001...
succeeded him. On March 29, 2011, he was elected Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands)
The Leader of the Opposition in Solomon Islands is a Member of Parliament who commands a large minority of his peers, united in loyal opposition to government...
.