Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands (map from 1989)

The Solomon Islands are an independent republic, made up of a archipelago of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. They are a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Geography

The total land area is 27,540 sq km; there are 910 sq km of water inside the territorial limits. They are in a key location on sea routes through the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea.

Organized into a 9 provinces and a central district: Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Key; the islands and island groups include:

• Guadalcanal, on which the capital of Honaria is located
• Choiseul Island
• Gizo Island
• Yandina Island
• Santa Cruz Islands
• San Cristobal
• Malaita Island
• Rennell Island

The much-fought-over waters of North Georgia Sound called the "Slot" is north of Guadalcanal, containing Savo Island.

History

In the 1890s, Britain established a protectorate over the islands.

Second World War

Some of the most intense combat of World War II on the islands and waters of this area, beginning with the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Gudalcanal campaign.

Independence

Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society.

Australian Assistance

Following the United Nations Convention on Law of the Seas extending large Exclusive Economic Zones around the Solomon Islands, and neighbouring nations in the Pacific Forum, Australia agreed to give 12 nations 22 Pacific Forum patrol vessels. Two of those vessels were provided to the Solomon Islands.

In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza asked for Australian assistance to reestablish law and order. In July, the Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias, and has remained effective.

Security pact with China

In late March, 2022, China and the Solomon Islands signed the preliminary draft of an agreement described as a "security pact". According to Reuters the agreement would be a "major inroad" by China into a region where smaller nations traditionally looked to Australia and the United States of America.

The Solomon Islands said in March that it was creating a partnership with China to tackle security threats and ensure a safe environment for investment in what would be a major inroad for Beijing in a region that U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand have for decades seen as their "backyard."

The Guardian reports a leaked document revealed China wanted to send armed security teams to operate, within the Solomon Islands, to protect the Chinese embassy following anti-chinese riots in Honiara's chinatown in the fall of 2021.

In February 2022 the United States of America announced it would be reopening its embassy. The reopening of the embassy, closed in 1993, was widely described as a reaction to China's attempt to exert further influence on the Solomon Islands.

Economy

The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.

RAMSI was able to rebuild the economy, damaged by violence.