Police officers are reinforcements in the Solomon Islands

Australia announced on Sunday it would send extra police to the Solomon Islands to provide security for the Melanesian state during the Pacific Games in November and general elections in June 2024. After the November 2021 anti-government riots, personnel and local police in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

“At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, Australia has extended its contribution to the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF) until June 2024 to assist with security at the national general election.A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. “Australia is proud to be Solomon Islands’ premier security partner and will deploy additional security personnel to support the Pacific Games in Honiara.», the speaker added.

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Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sokaware signed a new cooperation agreement with Beijing in July that allows China to maintain a police presence in the developing Pacific country until 2025. A defense deal between Australia and the Solomon Islands came under review in June by Manasseh Sokawer, fueling fears that the Melanesian state, one of the poorest countries in the Pacific, could find itself in Beijing’s orbit.

About 5,000 athletes from 24 countries are expected to compete in the Pacific Games, which begin in Honiara on November 19. China has focused more on the Solomon Islands since the archipelago severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2019 in favor of Beijing, which pledged significant aid and funding to build critical infrastructure. China is specifically building the main stadium and other venues for the Pacific Games.

Western powers were especially wary after a major defense deal between China and the Solomon Islands was signed in 2022, the details of which have not been disclosed. Both China and the Solomon Islands have denied that the deal will lead to the establishment of a Chinese military base.