Australia (common wealth) _ Australia announced on Sunday that it would send more police to the Solomon Islands to help with security for the Pacific Games in November, and that they would stay until June to help with a general election. Australian police will collaborate with officers from Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The increased Australian police presence comes after the Solomon Islands strengthened ties with China in July, signing a policing agreement. Australia, New Zealand, and the United States are concerned that Chinese police may undermine a long-standing security agreement between Canberra and the Pacific Islands nation.
The Solomon Islands, on the other hand, said on Friday that it has urged Australia to prolong the police deployment, which was set to conclude in December.
According to a statement issued by the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia was the Pacific Islands nation’s “primary security partner.” According to the announcement, Australia has extended its contribution to the Solomons International Assistance Force until June 2024 at the request of the Solomon Islands government to assist with security for the national general elections.
The Australian police contingent is expected to arrive in December 2021 to calm anti-government protests, while Chinese police trainers are expected to arrive this year to prepare for the games. Over 5,000 athletes from a dozen countries are slated to compete in the games, for which China has donated and built stadiums and other sites.
China increased infrastructure assistance when Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare moved diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019. Last year, the Solomon Islands inked a security agreement with China, sparking concerns in Canberra and Washington over Beijing’s maritime ambitions.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has stated that Australia is pressing to keep troops and police in the Solomon Islands beyond this year, adding he is “excited” about the opportunity to renegotiate the two countries’ security partnership. Mr Marles also announced a $25 million aid package for the Solomon Islands’ elections next year after meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara.
Before leaving, Mr Marles stated that he was pleased to see Australian forces in the Solomon Islands stay over the 2023 date agreed upon by both countries last year. Mr Marles’ remarks come as Australia seeks to strengthen its position as Honiara’s primary security partner in the face of China’s efforts to establish its own policing relations with the Solomon Islands.
Chinese police have extended training programs for Solomon Islands police officers, both in the Pacific Island country and on mainland China, and have also given anti-riot trucks and motorcycles to the country. It’s unclear whether Mr. Sogavare and his government will agree to Australia keeping a security presence in the country past the end of the year.
Mr Sogavare said in a statement last night that he “conveyed the country’s appreciation to Australia’s on-going support in the area of security” during his meeting with Mr Marles.
Both countries declared last year that Australian servicemen will assist in providing security for the Pacific Games in 2023, but Mr Sogavare’s statement stated that discussions on their participation were still ongoing. Assessments are still being conducted to assess the security requirements for the Games, and if any issues arise, Australia will be alerted through appropriate channels, he said.
Mr. Sogavare also stated that Australia’s police training programs in the Solomon Islands, as well as the two countries’ security accord, needed to be “reviewed.” The premier stated that he used the meeting to emphasize the need for security partners to allow for more dialogue, engagement, and cooperation with the Pacific family in order to ensure that our priorities are reflected in security cooperation.
