New York/Honiara/Beijing/Geneva: Violent demonstrations have escalated in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara. This has left several access roads blocked with some buildings set ablaze and stores looted. Health clinics have also closed, although the main National Referral Hospital remains operational.
More than 1,500 Asian migrants have reportedly been displaced, with numbers and locations yet to be verified. The Solomon Islands Red Cross is delivering food to stranded students and helping transport stranded foreign workers and staff to safety.
There is a request for help for displaced people in the capital, Honiara, the World Health Organization stated.
According to reports, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, while accusing certain politicians of inciting riot, also said that the violence was encouraged by forces that wanted to thwart the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands.
There were also comments saying that many of the demonstrators were from the pro-Taiwan Malaita province and that the establishment of diplomatic ties with China may be the reason behind the rioting.
China stated on November 26, 2021 that it was closely monitoring the latest developments in Solomon Islands.
“We condemn the violence that has caused serious damage and property loss and support the Solomon Islands government’s efforts to end the violence and chaos. We are confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sogavare, the Solomon Islands government has the capability to restore social order at an early date and stabilize the domestic situation. China is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions in Solomon Islands,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.
Lijian declared that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands “is a correct choice in keeping with the trend of the times that can stand the test of history”. He claimed that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have come a long way with “fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation in various sectors, receiving Solomon Islands people’s sincere support and endorsement”.
Asserting that the attempts to disrupt the normal development of relations between China and Solomon Islands “are nothing but futile”, Lijian said that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that priority humanitarian needs include food, due to COVID-related economic hardships and market lockdowns, and protection with looting creating safety and security risks. Violence against women is also a concern.
The WHO said it was closely working with the Ministry of Health of Solomon Islands to provide support as required.
“So far, all UN staff have been accounted for and no damage to UN assets has been reported,”OCHA stated.
– global bihari bureau
