Solomon Islands: tensions with Canberra and Washington after the security agreement with Beijing

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on April 24, 2019 in Honiara.

AFP/Archivos

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1 min

On April 19, the Solomon Islands announced, to everyone's surprise, the signing of a vast security agreement with China.

This pact had provoked strong reactions from Canberra and Washington had sent a high-level delegation to Honiara.

Without naming any country, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister spoke on Tuesday of a risk of invasion of the archipelago, while his Australian counterpart called for calm on Thursday May 5.

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Very annoyed by the turn of events and the turmoil in some countries since signing a

, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare complained to parliament about the continued lack of trust and being treated as " 

 .”

“ 

 ”, he underlined while expressing his fears of a military intervention by countries which would consider their national and strategic interests threatened in the archipelago.

Concerns about this “secret arrangement”

The Australian Prime Minister called for calm and moderation.

While trying to reassure his traditional ally, Scott Morrison reiterated his concerns about the " 

" between the Solomon Islands and Beijing.

Senior

sent there had tried to find out more about the security agreement, which would unofficially set up a Chinese base in the Pacific archipelago.

An act that would be followed by a response from Washington, warned the White House.

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• Solomon Islands

• Australia

• United States

• China

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