WHY INDEPENDENCE WOULD BE HARD FOR MALAITA NOW
To be a new independent nation the following steps are needed.
Step 1-Declare Independence
Malaita Province must first satisfy rules set forth by the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States that would require Malaita declare in a referendum letting the world know its intention to secede from the rest of Solomon Islands.
Its territory must be clearly defined which cannot be disputed by any other State (e.g. Solomon Islands) or Province (Guale, Isabel or Makira). Any dispute from them will delay the process.
Step 2-Gain Recognition
Malaitan friends i.e., US, Australia, NZ, PNG, Fiji, etc must grant Malaita recognition as an independent state
Step 3- Join the UN
Malaitan admittance into the U.N. to become a recognized new member amongst the community of nations … simply done by writing a letter to the UN Secretary General who passes this along to the Security Council (SC), where at least 9 of the 15 member-Security Council must agree.
If any one of the five permanent Security Council members with veto powers e.g., China vetos it, then Malaitan application cannot progress. Malaitan antagonism towards China will ensure its death from the start.
Current PM of Solomon Islands merely asks his friend China to block Malaita! … End of Independence Story nomoa na ia!
Suggested ways forward: (1) Work hard, develop the Province then seek devolution of greater powers to Malaita Province OR work hard to develop the Province now and then be granted State Government.
(2) Be a friend with China now until after it also agrees to Malaita as new nation in the UN, then dump China and choose your own friendly states for diplomatic relations!
By Dr. James Auto
