Manele & Albanese discuss request to support increase RSIPF’s numbers

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese have discussed Solomon Islands request for Australia’s support to increase RSIPF officers from 1500 to 3,000 today in Canberra.

In a joint statement issued by the two leaders, they noted Australia’s position as Solomon Islands’ security partner of choice. The leaders alsodiscussed the request from Solomon Islands to Australia to assist in growing and building the capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, including the Solomon Islands Government’s ambition to increase its police force from 1,500 to 3,000 officers – a program of decadal change, which will support the Solomon Islands Government’s ambitions to grow its police force to 5,000 over time.

The leaders have asked ministers and officials to work together on next steps and to consider the basis on which this request could further strengthen sovereignty and regional stability.

Meanwhile, the leaders also noted that Australia’s continued support to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will build Solomon Islands’ ability to meet its own security needs, and reduce its reliance on external partners.

In that regard, Australia welcomed Solomon Islands’ three-tier security arrangement, comprising: tier one, being addressed through enhanced domestic capability of a strengthened and empowered Royal Solomon Islands Police Force; tier two, assistance from Melanesian Spearhead Group countries through bilateral or collective engagement; and tier three, activation of bilateral or collective support from Pacific Islands Forum members.

The Leaders agreed to the importance of this three-tier framework for strengthening Solomon Islands’ sovereignty, stability and resilience.