The government of Kiribati has announced a suspension of all diplomatic visits to the small Pacific Island nation until next year. The decision is due to the ongoing election process, which is expected to continue for several more months. This move impacts both planned visits and those already scheduled, as noted by an official from Kiribati’s foreign ministry. The pause in diplomatic trips was conveyed earlier this week to countries with diplomatic ties to Kiribati, a low-lying atoll inhabited by 120,000 people.

Tensions have risen between Kiribati and Western nations, particularly Australia, a significant aid donor, regarding Kiribati’s strengthening relations with China. Kiribati faces threats from rising sea levels and lacks the resource wealth or tourism appeal of some other Pacific islands. Despite this, its strategic location in the Pacific Ocean has sparked a power struggle between Western powers and China.

Following a recent national election in Kiribati for 44 out of the 45 parliamentary seats, negotiations are underway to determine the ruling party, with a presidential vote expected in October. As a result, diplomatic visits cannot be accommodated until a new government is formed and a president is elected, according to ministry spokesperson Turia Tekirua. Some analysts believe that this suspension may indicate an effort to avoid foreign scrutiny during the government formation process.

Kiribati shifted its allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, aligning with several other Pacific nations that have cut ties with Taipei. Concerns have been raised in Australia about Beijing’s growing influence in Kiribati, with reports of restricted visa approvals for foreign officials and judges. The suspension of diplomatic visits does not require diplomats to leave Kiribati, where multiple countries, including Australia and China, already have a presence.

George Carter from the Australian National University views the ban as a measure to protect politicians from external interference while forming a government. The suspension of visits has prompted responses from New Zealand, Australia, and other countries, with New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry confirming Kiribati’s request to halt incoming visits.

Kiribati is highly dependent on aid and is classified as at risk of external debt distress by the International Monetary Fund. The nation also faces challenges from coastal erosion and rising sea levels, which have contaminated drinking water and led to overcrowding on South Tarawa, its most populous island. In the recent election, a record five women secured parliament seats, including Ruth Cross Kwansing, emphasizing the importance of gender diversity in decision-making roles for the country’s progress.