Solomon Islands unrest: Defence Force, police to deploy for weeks-long mission

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Kiwi police officers and soldiers are heading to the Solomon Islands after unrest in the capital Honiara.

Defence Minister Peeni Henare said in a statement an “initial NZDF [Defence Force] assessment team” of about 15 personnel would deploy on Thursday, followed by up to 50 defence and police staff.

Locals photograph Australian soldiers and Australian Federal Police as they patrol the streets in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

It is understood a group of about a dozen police officers will fly out on Saturday, along with more defence personnel.

The initial group is likely to deploy from Ōhakea airbase on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, troops on the high readiness list received orders to return to base at Linton, Stuff understands.

A building burns in Honiara on Friday. The Solomon Islands capital has seen days of rioting and unrest.

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The decision to deploy comes a day after the Solomon Islands Government formally requested assistance from New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon.

The request followed riots driven in part by anger over the Honiara-based government’s strengthening links to the People's Republic of China.

Honiara’s Chinatown was particularly hard hit in riots at the end of 2021.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed New Zealand’s concern over the situation.

“We are deeply concerned by the recent civil unrest and rioting in Honiara, and following yesterday’s request of the Solomon Islands Government, we have moved quickly to provide urgent assistance to help restore sustained peace and security,” Ardern said.

“Every deployment brings its risks and challenges, but our people have vast experience in the Pacific region and are amongst some of the most highly skilled when it comes to de-escalating conflict,” she said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the deployment was a “short-term, immediate response”.

Australian soldiers stand outside the airport in Honiara on Saturday.

The Government statement does not say how long the deployment will last, but Stuff understands it will be at least several weeks.

The deployment comes several days after Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea sent personnel to the Solomons.

“Under our kotahitanga principle, the New Zealand contingent will work to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, and also alongside counterparts from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji,” Mahuta said.

Henare said defence personnel will support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in “maintaining stability, engaging with communities and providing public reassurance”.

Police Minister Poto Williams said police officers will work with Defence Force staff to help restore law and order.

“New Zealand Police has a long-standing partnership with Solomon Islands, and has had a presence in Honiara for a number of years.

“Over the past week they have been providing advice and support to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force on the ground, and these extra personnel will provide community liaison and engagement support,” Williams said.

The personnel are required to be double vaccinated and will undergo managed isolation upon return, the Government said.

The request followed days of rioting, violence and unrest in the capital Honiara.

It is understood some personnel from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, received orders on Tuesday to assemble back at their base in Linton ahead of a possible deployment.

Streets in Chinatown, Honiara, were looted during rioting last week.

The troops returning to the Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, are part of the army’s High Readiness Task Unit, kept on standby in case they are needed urgently.

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An Mfat spokeswoman said in a statement that Mahuta spoke with her Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele, on Tuesday evening.

“The civil unrest and riots in Honiara are deeply concerning, and the New Zealand High Commission there continues to monitor the situation closely,” the statement said.

“We welcome the actions of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji in swiftly deploying police and defence personnel.

“The New Zealand High Commission in Honiara is providing SafeTravel advice to New Zealanders in Solomon Islands, including advising them to exercise care and follow the instructions of local authorities.”

AP reported the rioting and looting began on Wednesday following a peaceful protest in Honiara.

The protesters were mainly people from Malaita, the most populous island.

There has been decades of tension between Malaita and Guadalcanal, where Honiara is located, director of the Lowy Institute think-tank's Pacific Islands programme Jonathan Pryke told AP.

The protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who has been widely criticised by political leaders on Malaita for a decision two years ago to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, favouring mainland China, AP reported.

Downtown Honiara and its Chinatown district were a focus for protesters and looters.

Sogavare’s Government has been critical of the millions of dollars worth of aid from the US which was reportedly pledged directly to Malaita.

He blamed outside influence, a reference to the US and Taiwan, for the unrest.

New Zealand has in the past sent police and peacekeepers to the Solomon Islands, following unrest and violence which began more than two decades ago.

More than 1000 NZ Defence Force personnel served in the Solomon Islands from 2003 to 2013, as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.