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2021 Solomon Islands unrest

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2021 Solomon Islands unrest
Date24–27 November 2021
Location
Solomon Islands
Caused by
  • Decision by the Solomon Islands Government to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China
  • Claimed interference from foreign powers, mainly China
  • Lack of economic development in Solomon Islands
  • Corruption
  • Democratic Backsliding
  • Government mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Poverty
  • Lack of job opportunities for local residents
  • Central government's neglect of infrastructural development on Malaita Island
Goals
MethodsProtests, riots, arson, looting[1]
Resulted inGovernment victory
Parties

Protesters

  • Malaita for Democracy
Lead figures

No centralised leadership

Casualties
Death(s)3 civilians[4][5]
Arrested100+[5][6]

The 2021 Solomon Islands unrest was a series of demonstrations and violent riots in Solomon Islands from 24 to 27 November 2021.

It started off as a peaceful protest against the government's decision to recognize the People's Republic of China over Taiwan. However, it turned violent as protesters attempted to storm the parliament to depose Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Many businesses, especially Chinese businesses located in Honiara's Chinatown, were targeted by protestors, and were burned and looted. A police station was set on fire.

The government responded by deploying the police in which they used tear gas on the protesters. They also requested the Australian Government for support. As a result, Australia deployed the Australian Federal Police and Defence Force. Papua New Guinea and Fiji dispatched peacekeepers while New Zealand deployed police and troops.

Following the unrest, Prime Minister Sogavare said the "innocent people of Malaita have been lied to by these agents of Taiwan" and described the riots as an "attempted illegal coup". Sogavare resisted calls to resign, and defeated a vote of no-confidence in the parliament on 6 December 2021.[7]

Background

[edit]
Further information: China–Solomon Islands relations and Solomon Islands–Taiwan relations

Solomon Islands had historically been in a state of ethnic conflict until 2003, when Australia deployed a peacekeeping mission.[8] The residents of Malaita, the nation's most populous island, have often complained that their island is neglected by the central government.[4]

In 2019, the central government under Sogavare withdrew recognition of Taiwan and established relations with the People's Republic of China. Malaita Province, however, continued to be supported by Taiwan and the United States, the latter sending US$25 million of aid to the island in 2020.[9] The premier of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani, also held an independence referendum in 2020 which the national government has dismissed as illegitimate.[2] Rising unemployment and poverty, worsened by the border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, have also been cited as a cause of the unrest.[10] Chinese businesses were also accused of giving jobs to foreigners instead of locals.[11]

Events

[edit]

The protests were initially peaceful on 24 November,[12] with members of the group "Malaita for Democracy" gathering to protest the Solomon Islands Government's decision to recognize China over Taiwan.[13] They called on Sogavare to address them. After failing to meet with them, witnesses reported that protests turned violent.[14] Protestors attempted to storm the parliament building to depose Sogavare. A 36-hour lockdown was issued, but was defied by protestors on 25 November, when a crowd took to the streets of Honiara's Chinatown.[15] Buildings adjoining the parliament building burnt to the ground. A police station and businesses were set on fire.[15][16] Police fired upon protesters with tear gas.[12][17]

Australia responded to the unrest on 25 November by deploying Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force personnel. They were requested by the Sogavare government under the Australia–Solomon Islands Bilateral Security Treaty.[18] The Australian Government stated this deployment was to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to maintain order and protect vital infrastructure and would take no position on the internal issues of Solomon Islands.[19][8][20] Papua New Guinea agreed to send 34 peacekeepers to help staunch the violence.[21]

By the morning of 27 November, the rioting had largely stopped, with police officers and peacekeeping troops patrolling the streets.[22] Police later announced the discovery of three charred bodies in a burned building in Honiara's Chinatown district[4][5] and the arrest of over 100 people in relation to the riots.[6]

Opposition leader Matthew Wale filed a no-confidence motion against the Sogavare government on 28 November, with debate scheduled for 6 December.[23] The motion created a potential flashpoint for further unrest.[24]

Fiji dispatched 50 troops on 30 November 2021[25] to reinforce the Australian Defence Force under the Vuvale Partnership between Australia and Fiji.[26] 120 troops remained on standby in Fiji if needed.[27][28] New Zealand sent 65 police and troops, with 15 personnel arriving 2 December, and 50 over the following weekend.[24]

On 6 December, Sogavare survived a motion of no confidence in the parliament. 15 voted in support, 32 voted against, and two abstained.[29]

On 14 December, opposition figure John Kwaita was charged with instigating the unrest.[30] The damage of the riots was estimated to be SI$500 million (NZ$91m). As a result of the economic turmoil, emergency supplies were delivered.[31] By 22 December, military presence was scaled down in Honiara, but remained on standby to ensure stability.[32] The Solomon Islands government requested assistance from China.[33] The request was accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on 24 December, resulting in batons, shields and helmets being supplied to the islands to help with quelling future riots.[34]

Reactions

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Domestic

[edit]

Sogavare warned the rioters would "face consequences",[35] and resisted calls to resign, saying that if he would be removed, "it will be on the floor of Parliament".[36] He also accused the protesters of being "politically motivated" and, during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, blamed "foreign powers" for the unrest.[37][38][39]

Wale[40] and Suidani[8] called for Sogavare to step down. The premier of Guadalcanal Province Anthony Veke also strongly denounced the riots.[41]

International

[edit]

The government of the People's Republic of China expressed "concern about the attacks" and support for the Solomon Islands government's attempts to "restore order and stability quickly".[42]

Sogavare alleged that countries that did not want the Solomon Islands to establish ties with the People's Republic of China had fed the people of Malaita "false and deliberate lies" about Solomon Islands' shift in diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China. The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We have nothing to do with the unrest."[43]

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison questioned whether Chinese citizens and businesses were targeted describing the unrest as a "mixed story". Australian foreign minister Marise Payne also stated that there was no indication that foreign countries had stirred up the unrest.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Australia sends police and troops to Honiara as violent protests continue in Solomon Islands". The Guardian. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kaye, Ron; Packham, Colin (25 November 2021). "Australia to deploy police, military to Solomon Islands as protests spread". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Pacific puzzle: How China and Australia fit in to Solomon Islands protests". Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Three bodies found after days of unrest in Solomon Islands". Al Jazeera. 27 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Piringi, Charles (26 November 2021). "Solomon Islands unrest: three bodies found in burnt-out building". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Solomon Islands police find three bodies after violent protests". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Solomon Islands Prime Minister survives vote of no confidence after deadly anti-government riots". ABC News. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Rising, David; McGuirk, Rod (26 November 2021). "Solomon Islands leader blames foreign powers for unrest". AP News. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  9. ^ Wasuka, Evan; Bahmani, Nazli (15 October 2020). "China convinced the Solomons to switch allegiances. Its one rebel province is now in line for $35m in US aid". ABC News. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Three killed in Solomon Islands unrest, burnt bodies found in Chinatown". South China Morning Post. 27 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  11. ^ a b Rising, David; McGuirk, Rod (26 November 2021). "Solomon Islands violence recedes but not underlying tension". AP News. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Police use tear gas in Solomon Islands – Taipei Times". Taipei Times. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Solomon Islands coup attempt triggered by US-backed, anti-China forces". The Frontier Post. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  14. ^ Needham, Kirsty (29 November 2021). "Explainer: -What is behind unrest in the Solomon Islands?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Solomon Islands: Australia sends peacekeeping troops amid riots". BBC News. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Australia sending troops to Solomon Islands as protests spread". CBC News. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021.
  17. ^ Lagan, Bernard. "Solomon Islands protesters burn parliament and Chinese shops in anti-Beijing riots". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  18. ^ Andrews, Karen (25 November 2021). "Joint media release – Solomon Islands" (Press release). Canberra: Australian Government. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  19. ^ "Australian forces on urgent mission to Solomon Islands after civil unrest rocks Pacific nation". ABC News. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Australia sending police, troops and diplomats to Solomon Islands to aid amid violent protests". Taiwan News. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Riots rock Solomon Islands capital for third day despite peacekeepers". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Solomon Islands Protests: 3 Burned Bodies Found in Chinatown". 27 November 2021. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  23. ^ Sasako, Alfred (29 November 2021). "No-Confidence Motion Filed". Solomon Star. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Solomon Islands unrest: New Zealand to send dozens of peacekeepers". The Guardian. 1 December 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Fiji sends 50 peacekeepers to Solomon Islands". The Guardian. 29 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  26. ^ "50 Fijian soldiers to head to Solomon Islands". Pacific Islands News Association. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  27. ^ Pratap, Ritika (29 November 2021). "Fijian troops to head to Solomon Islands". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  28. ^ Turaga, Semi (29 November 2021). "50 Fijian troops to be dispatched to the Solomon Islands – PM". Fiji Village. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Solomon Islands PM survives no-confidence vote after unrest". BBC News. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Solomon opposition figure faces charges over riots". RFI. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Solomon Islands: Emergency supplies arrive for families". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  32. ^ Rawalai, Luke (22 December 2021). "Armed forces to remain on standby". FijiTimes. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Solomon Islands says China to send police advisers after riots". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  34. ^ Chik, Holly (24 December 2021). "China sends anti-riot gear, police aid to Solomons to help restore order". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Solomons PM warns capital rioters 'will face consequences'". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Sogavare: If I am removed as Prime Minister, it will be on the floor of Parliament". Solomon Islands Herald. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  37. ^ Clarke, Melissa (25 November 2021). "Solomon Islands Prime Minister blames foreign powers for civil unrest that prompted call to Australia for help". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  38. ^ Zhuang, Yan (25 November 2021). "Protests Rock Solomon Islands: Here's What's Behind the Unrest". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Solomon Islands PM blames violent anti-government protests on foreign interference". The Guardian. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  40. ^ Hurst, Daniel (25 November 2021). "Australia sends troops and police to Solomon Islands as unrest grows". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  41. ^ Nuria, Esther (24 November 2021). "Guadalcanal Premier Calls for Calm Amidst Violent Protests". Solomon Star News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  42. ^ "China urges stability in Solomon Islands". The Young Witness. Australian Associated Press. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  43. ^ Needham, Kirsty; Packham, Colin (26 November 2021). "Australian police take control of Solomon Islands capital – witnesses". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
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