Solomon Islands: Malaita province unhappy over presence of Australian troops, as Fiji joins peacekeeping efforts
- An aide to the premier of Malaita province – the source of protesters of last week’s riots – says the presence of Australian troops sends a ‘strong moral boost to PM Sogavare’, who in 2019 chose to recognise China instead of Taiwan
- Meanwhile, the Red Cross says food is becoming scarce in the crisis-hit nation and that the Chinese community is keeping a low profile after being targeted
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The Solomon Islands’ most populous province, the source of anti-government protesters who waged a fiery protest in the capital Honiara last week, is unhappy Australia has sent in police and soldiers at the request of the Pacific island nation’s prime minister, a provincial political aide has told Reuters.
Dozens of buildings were burned down and shops looted in the capital’s Chinatown as protests against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare turned to rioting in which four people died.
The arrival of 100 Australian police and soldiers on Friday, and a contingent of 50 from Papua New Guinea to support overwhelmed local police, has largely restored calm but tensions remain high.
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Australian troops and police deployed to Solomon Islands amid general unrest and Chinatown blaze
Fiji on Monday also deployed an initial 50 Fijian troops to maintain law and order, lifting the number of peacekeepers to about 200. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said another 120 troops were on standby if the security situation deteriorated.
Many of the protesters were from Malaita province, which has a history of disputes with Guadalcanal province where the national government is based, and which opposed the switch by Sogavare’s government in 2019 to formally recognise China instead of Taiwan. Malaita’s premier Daniel Suidani has banned Chinese companies from the province and accepted development aid from the United States.
A political adviser to Suidani said in an interview on Monday that Suidani was unhappy with the arrival of Australian police and soldiers amid a political crisis.
“Their presence on the ground gives a very strong moral boost to Prime Minister Sogavare and his government. They are here at the invitation of Sogavare – how can you be neutral?” said the adviser, Celsus Talifilu, by phone from Malaita province.
“Malaitans were surprised; we are the last ones standing for democracy in the Solomons. We were thinking Australia would see the stand we were taking,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Canberra wanted to provide a stable environment so the people of the Solomon Islands could resolve the situation peacefully.
“We do not take sides in these differences, nor do we take a position on other countries choices about their diplomatic relationships,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne told parliament on Monday. An Australian naval ship will arrive on Tuesday.
Four government members of the Solomon Islands parliament resigned at the weekend, including a minister. A no-confidence motion in Sogavare has been filed in parliament by Opposition leader Matthew Wale but cannot be debated for seven days. Another 10 government MPs would have to resign for the motion to succeed.
Solomon Islands PM defies calls to resign, says riots orchestrated to oust him
A spokesman from Sogavare’s office said on Monday he “will not resign under pressure from political opponents that use violence to remove him”.
“The opposition leader has every right to file a motion of no confidence given the fact the he does not have the numbers to succeed,” he added.
Sogavare last week blamed interference by unnamed foreign powers for the protests, and in a speech on Sunday said the rioting caused US$200 million in damages.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said more than 100 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting and burning buildings.
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Solomon Islands riot sets Chinatown ablaze in capital Honiara as protests turn violent
This came as Honiara residents continued to clean up the shattered capital, where much of the Chinatown area was reduced to smouldering rubble.
Solomon Islands Red Cross Secretary General Clement Manuri said food was becoming scarce in Honiara and aid agencies were assessing whether they needed to distribute emergency supplies.
“We’re having meetings now with the NDMO (National Disaster Management Office),” he said. “It’s not clear but soon, in certain crowded places, maybe they’ll run out of food.”
Three killed in Solomon Islands unrest, burnt bodies found in Chinatown
Rioters burned and looted Chinese businesses during the unrest and Manuri said that meant most of the stores where people bought food staples had been destroyed.
He said the Chinese community was keeping a low profile after being targeted and had no immediate plans to reopen their shops.
“They’ve scattered and are staying with friends,” he said. “They’re in shock and the priority right now is getting accommodation.”
Many Chinese individuals and families have lost literally everything and are also homeless
The Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) said in a statement cited by local media that it had more than 70 years of history in the islands.
“Many Chinese individuals and families have lost literally everything and are also homeless,” it said, condemning the “senseless” violence.
Finance Minister Harry Kuma said food prices in Honiara’s markets had skyrocketed as a result of the riots and there had been widespread destruction of both public and private property.
“Allow me to extend my heartfelt sympathy to those businesses and individuals who have lost millions of dollars worth of goods and property to criminal destruction,” he told parliament. “My sincere condolences also go to the families who have lost a loved one to the wrath of fire.”
