Kiribati Suspends Foreign Visits Until 2025

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The government of Kiribati has announced a suspension of all diplomatic visits to the island nation until next year, coinciding with an ongoing election process that could extend for several months. An official from Kiribati’s foreign ministry confirmed that a notification regarding this pause was sent to countries with diplomatic relations with Kiribati, which has a population of approximately 120,000. This decision comes amid rising tensions between Kiribati and Western nations, particularly Australia, over the nation’s increasing alignment with China. The recent national election, which saw 44 of the 45 parliamentary seats contested, has yet to yield clear party affiliations for the winners, leaving the future governing bloc uncertain. Negotiations are currently underway to determine the governing group, with a presidential vote anticipated in October. While the suspension applies broadly, small delegations may still seek exemptions to visit the country. Analysts suggest that the suspension may reflect Kiribati's desire to limit foreign scrutiny during its government formation. Mihai Sora from the Lowy Institute noted that this move aligns with a pattern of the current government seeking to minimize international oversight. Kiribati shifted its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019, a decision that has influenced its foreign relations. New Zealand’s foreign ministry acknowledged the request to suspend visits, while Australia’s foreign affairs department refrained from commenting on the matter. New Zealand’s foreign minister indicated that it is not uncommon for nations to limit diplomatic engagements close to elections.