As Australia deploys troops and police, what now for Solomon Islands?

Summary

This article by Misha Ketchell, the Editor of the Conversation, makes the following points:

• On Wed 24 Nov 21, there were protests in the Solomon Islands against the government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare; these protests deteriorated into rioting.

• Despite a snap 36-hour lockdown ordered by the government to keep people off the streets, these riots persisted.

• The reason for these riots involves a complex mix of domestic politics and geopolitical shifts.

• There has been a lot of focus on the discontent of people in the populous province of Malaita.

• One of the reasons for Malaita's discontent is that in 2019 the current government decided to recognise China instead of The Solomons long-term friend Taiwan. Note this from Time Magazine:          'But critics also blamed the unrest on complaints of a lack of government services and accountability, corruption and Chinese businesses giving jobs to foreigners instead of locals.'

• On Thurs, 25 Nov, it became clear the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force resources were being stretched to breaking point.

• Sogavare asked Australia for help.

• Australian PM Morrison agreed to provide help but stated that he did not see this becoming a long term commitment for Australia.

References

• 2019 Dec The Guardian China and Taiwan offered us huge bribes, say Solomon Islands M.P.s

•  2021 Nov ABC Solomon Islands Prime Minister blames foreign powers for civil unrest that prompted call to Australia for help

• 2021 Nov LATIMES Is China to blame for Solomon Islands unrest?

• 2021 Nov NDTV How China-Taiwan Issue Resulted In Riots, Looting In This Island Nation

• 2021 Nov Time Why Anti-Government Protests in the Solomon Islands Are Targeting Chinatown

• 2021 Nov 9News Solomon Islands violence: China, Taiwan relations behind civil unrest