Sogavare confirms ‘SI Security Agreement with Australia’ remains in place

With China Military Base dominating the regional headlines of late, which Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare denying it today— he has made it clear that Solomon Islands Security Agreement with Australia remains in place.

Sogavare’s Government has come under immense pressure from Australia and New Zealand over a leaked security treaty with the PRC which they claimed included the setting up of a Chinese Military Base in the Solomon Islands.

“I would like to make it abundantly clear that Solomon Islands Security Agreement with Australia remains in place,” Sogavare said.

He added: “Our traditional security partners are always important to us and will remain so, but in moving forward to achieve our security needs, it is clear that we need to diversify the country’s relationships with other partners. What is wrong with that?”

“This is where the issue lies; the fact that some people believe that there are countries that small independent sovereign states like Solomon Islands should not extend their diplomatic relationship to include security arrangements because that is a threat to their national security while they enjoy such relationship,” he said.

Sogavare said: “We find that very difficult to swallow because it strikes at the underlying principles of our foreign policy of “friends to all (Members of the United Nations) and enemies to none”.

We find it very insulting to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign affairs or have other motives in pursuing our national interest. I need to make it clear, our security approach is not done in a vacuum and not without due consideration to all our partners. It is sad that political perceptions have drawn conclusions to our security interest as being insensitive to external issues,” Sogavare stated.

News@SBMOnline2022