SOLOMON ISLANDS(Commonwealth union)_ In what diplomats have referred to as a “landmark” expansion of security cooperation, the Australian Federal Police has donated hundreds of semi-automatic rifles to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
Opposition leader Matthew Wale, who has cautioned against the “militarization” of the Solomon Islands and charged that Australia made the donation just to prevent China from increasing its influence in the police force, has criticised the announcement.
At a ceremony on Wednesday morning in the capital, Honiara, the Solomon Islands police received the 60 MK18 weapons and 13 new police cars.
Prior to the Pacific Games next year and the island nation’s national elections in 2024, the RSIPF will have “increased capacity to resist criminal threats and maintain peace and stability,” according to a statement from the AFP’s Police Partnerships Program’s Acting Commander, Clinton Smith.
To ensure that present and future security issues and demands in the region are fulfilled, he said: “The AFP and RSIPF have a profound connection that is regularly demonstrated via the exchange of resources and capability.”
“The AFP is happy to be the Solomon Islands’ security partner of choice and will continue to work closely with RSIPF officers to guarantee [their police] are educated and equipped to give the Solomon Islands community an effective, contemporary police force,” the statement reads.
Mr. Wale, however, criticised the action late on Tuesday, expressing concern that the weapons will one day be used against protestors. “Clearly, there are no external dangers, so why have these powerful weapons been introduced?” he inquired. “Or are we headed toward another round of militarization? In the event that it is neither of the two issues mentioned above, we are arming ourselves against our own people.”
Mr. Wale expressed concern that Australia’s “fear” over China’s expanding cooperation with Solomon Islands police was driving the country’s actions. It is obvious that Australia is concerned that China will supply guns if they do not, he added. In this country, geopolitical interests have taken precedence over national interests, which is a sad state of affairs, he remarked.
Although China has recently accelerated the growth of its own police training programmes in the nation, Australia has long been the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s primary overseas partner.
