Independent Analysis and Reportage
A View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning bring you a programme in three parts. First a roundup of Putin’s V-Day speech; they then evaluate a raft of election results that have occurred around the world; and then deep dive into the PRC-Solomons security deal.
By Yance Agapa in Paniai Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid is asking the government to halt the planned gold mine at Wabu Block in Intan Jaya regency until there is agreement from the Papua indigenous people in the area. “We have asked that the planned mine be halted until the state obtains agreement ... <a title="Amnesty calls for halt to planned Wabu Block gold mine in Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/05/11/amnesty-calls-for-halt-to-planned-wabu-block-gold-mine-in-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Amnesty calls for halt to planned Wabu Block gold mine in Papua">Read more</a>
By Miriam Zarriga in Mt Hagen About 100 Papua New Guinea security personnel have arrived in Porgera, Enga Province, amid the fighting that saw 17 dead, 100 families displaced and homes destroyed over the weekend. The arrival of the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) in Porgera on late Sunday evening has eased the tension inside the ... <a title="100 PNG security forces arrive in Porgera, tension eases" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/05/11/100-png-security-forces-arrive-in-porgera-tension-eases/" aria-label="Read more about 100 PNG security forces arrive in Porgera, tension eases">Read more</a>
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Seventeen people have been killed, hundreds of families made homeless, dozens of houses razed and government services ground to a halt in Enga Province’s Porgera district in Papua New Guinea as warring clans took up arms against each other. Calls for government help went unanswered at the weekend. Police ... <a title="Fierce fighting continues in PNG’s Porgera with death toll reaching 17" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/05/10/fierce-fighting-continues-in-pngs-porgera-with-death-toll-reaching-17/" aria-label="Read more about Fierce fighting continues in PNG’s Porgera with death toll reaching 17">Read more</a>
By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva Opposition National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has questioned the motive of the FijiFirst government to continuously highlight the 1987 coup during the girmit celebrations while refusing to mention the devastation brought about by the 2000 and 2006 coups on Fijians. He highlighted this issue during a rally in ... <a title="Prasad accuses FijiFirst of ‘political gimmick’ in highlighting 1987 coup" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/05/09/prasad-accuses-fijifirst-of-political-gimmick-in-highlighting-1987-coup/" aria-label="Read more about Prasad accuses FijiFirst of ‘political gimmick’ in highlighting 1987 coup">Read more</a>
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan in Tumon, Guam The United States would “respond” if China takes steps to establish a permanent military presence in the Solomon Islands, says a US official, noting the “potential regional security implications” of a newly signed pact between the two countries. “We outlined clear areas of concern with respect to the purpose ... <a title="US issues vague warning ‘to respond’ if China builds military base in Solomons" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/28/us-issues-vague-warning-to-respond-if-china-builds-military-base-in-solomons/" aria-label="Read more about US issues vague warning ‘to respond’ if China builds military base in Solomons">Read more</a>
COMMENTARY: By Graham Davis If you’re as confused as most people by the exact circumstances surrounding the continuing presence in Fiji of the Russian super yacht Amadea, join the club. Here’s our modest attempt to cut through the fog. Twelve days ago — on April 14 — the CJ Patel Fiji Sun newspaper trumpeted an ... <a title="Graham Davis: Behind the saga of the ‘seized’ Russian super yacht Amadea" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/28/graham-davis-behind-the-saga-of-the-seized-russian-super-yacht-amadea/" aria-label="Read more about Graham Davis: Behind the saga of the ‘seized’ Russian super yacht Amadea">Read more</a>
ANALYSIS: By Terence Wood A spectre is haunting the Pacific. It is focused on Solomon Islands today, but has eyes everywhere and might pounce anywhere next. No, I’m not talking about China. I am talking about us. More specifically, I’m talking about a particular type of Western security pundit, who hypes danger and itches for ... <a title="Solomons security shambles, and now it’s time for realism over hype" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/28/solomons-security-shambles-and-now-its-time-for-realism-over-hype/" aria-label="Read more about Solomons security shambles, and now it’s time for realism over hype">Read more</a>
RNZ Pacific Pacific countries held dawn services today to commemorate Anzac Day and recognise the 107th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in Turkey. Tonga paid tribute to its war veterans with a dawn ceremony held in Nuku’alofa this morning. The ceremony took place on the Royal Palace grounds of King Tupou VI with prayers ... <a title="Anzac Day remembered at dawn services across the Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/28/anzac-day-remembered-at-dawn-services-across-the-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about Anzac Day remembered at dawn services across the Pacific">Read more</a>
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific journalist Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says the country needs an economic solution to its instability problems, not a security solution. Lilo said he could not understand how current Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare could justify signing a security cooperation agreement with China to quell public discontent in ... <a title="Former Solomons PM says country needs economic solution not security" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/23/former-solomons-pm-says-country-needs-economic-solution-not-security/" aria-label="Read more about Former Solomons PM says country needs economic solution not security">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report newsdesk The Pacific Elders’ Voice has expressed deep concern about reports of deteriorating human rights in West Papua and has appealed to Indonesia to allow the proposed UN high commissioner’s visit there before the Bali G20 meeting in November. A statement from the PEV says the reports suggest an “increased number of ... <a title="Pacific Elders call on Indonesia to allow UN visit to Papua before Bali" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/23/pacific-elders-call-on-indonesia-to-allow-un-visit-to-papua-before-bali/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific Elders call on Indonesia to allow UN visit to Papua before Bali">Read more</a>
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific regional correspondent and Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific journalist The Solomon Islands prime minister is adamant a security co-operation agreement his government has signed with China will not undermine regional security. In Parliament yesterday, Manasseh Sogavare confirmed the controversial security agreement with China had been signed despite strong opposition to the ... <a title="Sogavare adamant deal with China won’t undermine regional security" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/04/21/sogavare-adamant-deal-with-china-wont-undermine-regional-security/" aria-label="Read more about Sogavare adamant deal with China won’t undermine regional security">Read more</a>