Sogavare slams Australia for Aukus without Pacific input

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has slammed the Australian government for failing to consult with the Pacific nation ahead of joining the Aukus alliance.

Speaking before Solomon Islands Parliament, Sogavare said the country was not given prior warning Australia had signed up to a new security agreement that involved nuclear submarines.

The comments come in the wake of the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with China, a decision that has been criticised by Australia.

‘‘I learnt of the Aukus treaty in the media. One would expect that as a member of the Pacific family, Solomon Islands and members of the Pacific should have been consulted to ensure this Aukus treaty is transparent,’’ he said.

‘‘I realise that Australia is a sovereign country, which can enter into any treaty it wants to, transparently or not, which is exactly what they did with Aukus.’’

It comes after the Australian government accused the Solomons of not giving it notice about its security deal with China. nearly