2021 Solomon Islands unrest

2021 Solomon Islands unrest
2021 Solomon Islands unrest
Date	24–27 November 2021
Location	Solomon Islands
Caused by	Decision by the Solomon Islands Government to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China; Claimed interference from foreign powers, mainly China; Lack of economic development in Solomon Islands; Corruption; Democratic Backsliding; Government mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic; Poverty; Lack of job opportunities for local residents; Central government's neglect of infrastructural development on Malaita Island;
Goals	Resignation of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare; Restoration of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan);
Methods	Protests, riots, arson, looting
Resulted in	Government victory 36-hour lockdown declared in Honiara on 24 November; Buildings adjoining the Solomon Islands Parliament Building burnt down; Deployment of Australian-led military and police forces;
Parties
Solomon Islands Government Royal Solomon Islands Police Force; Australia Australian Army 3rd Brigade; 6th Brigade; 17th Brigade; ; Royal Australian Navy HMAS Armidale; ; Royal Australian Air Force No. 4 Squadron; ; Australian Federal Police; Fiji Republic of Fiji Military Forces; Papua New Guinea Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary; New Zealand New Zealand Army Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment; ; New Zealand Police; Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS Wellington; ; Diplomatic support: People's Republic of China;	Protesters Malaita for Democracy;
Lead figures
	Manasseh Sogavare; Scott Morrison; Frank Bainimarama; James Marape; Jacinda Ardern; No centralised leadership
Casualties
Death(s)	3 civilians
Arrested	100+

The 2021 Solomon Islands unrest was a series of demonstrations and violent riots in Solomon Islands from 24 to 27 November 2021.

It started off as a peaceful protest against the government's decision to recognize the People's Republic of China over Taiwan. However, it turned violent as protesters attempted to storm the parliament to depose Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Many businesses, especially Chinese businesses located in Honiara's Chinatown, were targeted by protestors, and were burned and looted. A police station was set on fire.

The government responded by deploying the police in which they used tear gas on the protesters. They also requested the Australian Government for support. As a result, Australia deployed the Australian Federal Police and Defence Force. Papua New Guinea and Fiji dispatched peacekeepers while New Zealand deployed police and troops.

Following the unrest, Prime Minister Sogavare said the "innocent people of Malaita have been lied to by these agents of Taiwan" and described the riots as an "attempted illegal coup". Sogavare resisted calls to resign, and defeated a vote of no-confidence in the parliament on 6 December 2021.