Kiribati has recently announced a ban on foreign visits during its ongoing national elections, as outlined in a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration sent to diplomatic missions. The letter specified that no visits would be permitted until the end of December, preventing engagement from politicians, diplomats, and various other officials.
This decision follows Kiribati’s shift in diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China in 2019, resulting in a Chinese police presence, and its temporary exit from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2021 to draw attention to Micronesian issues. More recently, Kiribati has also questioned the diplomatic visas for Australian officials. These developments have positioned Kiribati as a focal point of geopolitical interest, contributing to discussions around the diplomatic pause.
The current election campaign is primarily addressing domestic economic concerns, yet the request for a pause has not deterred foreign diplomats from seeking to connect with the new government and retain their influence. The travel ban is partly aimed at preventing “chequebook diplomacy” and potential foreign interference.
While this pause has created challenges for officials, it is not an unprecedented move in the Pacific region. Samoa has initiated similar pauses, asking foreign diplomats to avoid travel during specific periods to prioritize local matters, such as budget planning and cyclone preparedness.
This approach allows Pacific nations to reassess their priorities without the disruption caused by foreign engagements. Kiribati, facing challenges with limited administrative resources, has emphasized the need to focus on domestic responsibilities, as many officials juggle multiple roles within the government.
The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that without external pressures, Pacific states can effectively manage their priorities. This strengthens the argument for diplomatic pauses to promote better coordination among partners and avoid resource duplication.
Efforts such as the Partners in the Blue Pacific initiative aim to streamline cooperation among partner states, yet they have often resulted in an influx of visits amid increasing geopolitical competition, such as China’s attempts to forge regional security agreements.
Despite setbacks like delayed visa processes for diplomats, partners are encouraged to respect Kiribati’s request for a pause. The focus should be on fostering trust and respect for the wishes of Kiribati’s government, allowing them to dictate the terms of engagement as they navigate their democratic journey.
Ultimately, supporting the self-determination of Pacific nations and respecting their need for reflection can lead to stronger, more fruitful diplomatic relationships in the future.