Buildings are on fire in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara on Thursday, and people are demanding that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare resign. Australia is now sending in troops.
—
It is the second day in a row of unrest and demonstrations in Honiara, and people have especially turned their anger on the Chinese district of the city.
Australia announced on Thursday morning that it was sending troops, police and equipment to the Solomon Islands to calm the situation, the newspaper New Daily reports.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it is the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands who has asked for security support from them, tweets a journalist In the newspaper.
According to eyewitnesses and local media, people have poured into the streets, in violation of a shutdown in the country. In photos from Honiara, you can see that several buildings are on fire and large, black columns of smoke rise into the air.
Stormed the National Assembly
It comes after widespread unrest in the city on Wednesday, when protesters tried to storm the National Assembly and oust Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Businesses run by the Chinese community in Honiara were looted and set on fire, prompting the Chinese embassy to express “serious concern.” Sogavare says the government still has control.
– I stand here to tell you that our country is safe – your government is sitting and continuing to lead our country, Sogavare said, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice.
China and Taiwan
Most of the protesters in Honiara are said to be from the neighboring island of Malaita, where people have long felt overlooked by the country’s government. The local government on the island was also strongly opposed to the country’s decision in 2019 to scrap diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and rather look to China.
Critics say Sogavare, which was behind the decision, is too close to Beijing. Opposition leader Matthew Wale has called for his resignation, citing controversial decisions during his time in office.
“Unfortunately, frustration and repressed anger flow from the people towards the prime minister into the streets, where opportunists are taking advantage of the already serious situation that arises,” he says.
–
