By Kirsty Needham
In a recent speech to Pacific Islands police chiefs, Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni highlighted the crucial role of police in providing "freedom from fear" in democracies. This comes at a time when major powers are increasing their focus on the region.
The first U.S.-Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police dialogue is set to take place in Tonga, with a top U.S. counter-narcotics official traveling to the country for the event. The growing presence of China in the Pacific, particularly in the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, has raised concerns among U.S. ally Australia.
To address this, Australia has pledged a A$400 million plan to enhance training and establish a mobile unit of Pacific Islands police, aiming to reduce reliance on external forces.
In his speech, Sovaleni emphasized the evolving role of policing in the Pacific, highlighting that it is not just about safety and security, but also about providing people with the freedom to pursue their dreams without fear or interference.
The conference will focus on implementing the Pacific Policing Initiative, which was recently approved by leaders of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum and funded by Australia.
China's efforts to secure a security agreement with forum members have faced challenges, with 10 out of 18 members declining to reach an agreement. Sovaleni stressed that external partners looking to assist with resources must adhere to the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police framework.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Todd Robinson, is set to visit Tonga to participate in the dialogue. Robinson has been instrumental in the U.S. response to the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the role of China in the trafficking of synthetic drugs through Mexico.
Recent actions, such as the expulsion and arrest of Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in a fentanyl supply syndicate, demonstrate the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in the region.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has also reaffirmed Washington's commitment to working with Pacific Island nations to combat drug trafficking and criminal networks using the region as a transit point for narcotics exports to the United States.
Overall, the discussions and initiatives outlined in the conference aim to address the evolving security challenges in the Pacific region, highlighting the importance of cooperation among nations to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens.
($1 = 1.4837 Australian dollars)