Australia Pledges US$100 Million to Strengthen Solomon Islands’ Police Force
SYDNEY: Australia will provide over US$100 million to the Solomon Islands to expand its police force, enabling the Pacific Islands nation to reduce its reliance on external partners, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Background
The US and Australia have been racing to limit China’s security ambitions in the strategically located region since Solomon Islands’ then-leader Manasseh Sogavare signed a security deal with Beijing in 2022. Australian police provided security in the Solomon Islands from 2003 to 2017 and returned in 2021 to help quell riots and support national elections.
Funding Commitment
Albanese announced a A$190 million (US$118 million) funding commitment to expand the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force over four years, with training and infrastructure. This move shows Australia is the "security partner of choice" to the Solomon Islands, according to Albanese and his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele.
Security Sector in Solomon Islands
The security sector in Solomon Islands remains "highly contested," according to Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute think tank. "It keeps Australia in the game, but it won’t slow the pace of the competition," he said. "Prime minister Manele has agreed to extra law and order support from Australia, but he has not committed to diminishing his country’s security partnerships with China, which remains the main objective for Canberra."
Regional Policing Strategy
The Pacific Islands Forum agreed in August to form a regional policing strategy, where its 18 member nations boost police numbers and provide security within the "Pacific family." China is not a member of the forum.
Australian Security Deals
Australia has signed a flurry of funding and security deals with its Pacific Island neighbours in December, amid uncertainty over the foreign policy approach of the incoming US administration under Donald Trump. A police funding deal with Nauru gives Australia veto over China using its port and airport for security purposes, and a sports deal with Papua New Guinea can be scrapped if it forms police ties with China.
Conclusion
The Australian government’s commitment to strengthen the Solomon Islands’ police force is a strategic move to reduce the country’s reliance on external partners. However, it is crucial to note that the security sector in Solomon Islands remains highly contested, and China’s presence in the region is likely to continue to be a significant factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Australian government’s funding commitment to the Solomon Islands?
The funding commitment is to expand the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force over four years, with training and infrastructure, to enable the country to reduce its reliance on external partners. - Why is the security sector in Solomon Islands highly contested?
The security sector in Solomon Islands is highly contested due to the country’s security ties with China and the presence of a small Chinese police force in the capital Honiara. - What is the significance of the Pacific Islands Forum’s regional policing strategy?
The regional policing strategy aims to boost police numbers and provide security within the "Pacific family" among its 18 member nations, excluding China.