Australia will send troops into the Solomon Islands to help the South Pacific country fall into chaos after anti-China protests.
The Australian National Security Committee held crisis talks on Thursday afternoon after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare asked the Australian Government for assistance under the 2017 bilateral security agreement.
Scott Morrison announced 23 Australian Federal Police officers are already on their way to support ‘riot control’ with a further 50 to be deployed to protect ‘critical infrastructure’.
Additionally, the 43 defense force personnel who will be making Friday’s trip to help ‘critical infrastructure’ will also make it. Like the airport.
Scott Morrison (pictured), has announced that Australia will send troops into the Solomon Islands to help the South Pacific country descend into chaos due to anti-China riots.
A mob of angry people were caught on camera smashing windows, throwing projectiles at Kukum Traffic Police Station before some rioters invaded the building and set it on fire.
As the government imposed lockdown on Solomon Islanders, people gather in Naha Police Station. They protested in Honiara (Silom Islands), November 25, 2021.
The Prime Minister stated that the prime minister’s purpose was to ensure stability and security so the Solomon Islands can deal with all the issues.
The capital of Honiara was occupied by protesters who demanded Mr Sogavare’s resignation.
Rioters have also targeted shops and businesses in Chinatown, as well as buildings and government offices and stations.
A mob of angry people were caught on camera smashing windows, throwing projectiles at Kukum Traffic Police Station before some rioters invaded the building and set it on fire.
The building was engulfed in flames before one firefighter entered to put out the flames.
Honiara has ordered a lockdown for 36 hours to stop civil unrest. But it is not working. Similar scenes are breaking out in other parts of the capital.
“The situation is volatile, with large numbers of people moving about.” Morrison stated that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has been stretched.
“We’ve received additional reports that buildings have been set on fire in Honiara’s main thoroughfare, which includes a large commercial structure and branch of a bank.
Firefighter walks by a hardware store on fire during demonstrations against government in Honiara (Silver Islands), November 24, 2021.
On November 24, 2021, smoke is visible coming from Honiara in Solomon Islands.
After Mr Sogavare’s September 2019 decision to favor Beijing over Taiwan, tensions were already raging in this country of approximately 700,000 residents.
The move angered many locals who fear the country’s natural resources – mainly fishing, palm oil and logging – are being fleeced by the authoritarian power.
Following the diplomatic transfer, Beijing transferred approximately $730million to the Solomon Islands Government.
The general public feels that they were getting a share of their sovereignty in return for access to politicians, backdoors to private and public business ownership.
Canberra is hesitant about sending troops to support Mr Sogavare, given Australia’s current diplomatic conflict with China.
Australia deployed about 2,200 military personnel to the Solomon Islands back in 2003 as part of it’s Regional Assistance Mission
Delta Company 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment soldiers board Australian Airforce aircraft departing Townsville, Australia, to aid the Australian Federal Police. Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Since the beginning, this South Pacific leader has been a harsh critic of Australia. However, his popularity has declined in recent years.
If Australia fails to act, it will allow Beijing to offer security reinforcements. Canberra desperately wants this to be avoided.
In 2003, Australia dispatched approximately 2200 troops to Solomon Islands as part its Regional Assistance Mission.
Similar scenes of civil unrest also broke out in 2006 after Snyder Rini was elected Prime Minister.
Angered locals thought the vote had been ‘fixed’ in China by Chinese businessmen. Chinatown businesses were then looted, and set on fire. This destroyed about 90% of the area.
Canberra sent its troops to help stabilize unrest, with the Australian Federal Police remaining in the country to support law enforcement up to June 30, 2017.
In 2003, three Australian Army “huey” helicopters arrived on the Weathercoast of Solomon Islands.
Pictured: A fellow Australian soldier offers water to an Australian soldier while on patrol through Honiara’s Chinatown, Saturday April 22, 2006.
Critics have called for Mr Sogavare to stand down in order to quell the violence.
However, the embattled statesman is steadfast and has shown no indications he plans to quit the top job.
‘No one is above the law … these people will face the consequences of their actions,’ he said in a targeted statement to rioters.
“I thought we were past the most difficult days in our nation’s history.
‘However … (these) events are a painful reminder that we have a long way to go.’