The Tuvalu archipelago, a micro-island state in the South Pacific threatened with disappearing beneath the waves by the end of the 21st century, could hardly refuse the hand extended by Canberra. In November 2023, Australia offered climate asylum to its entire population in exchange for a say in the security pacts it would consider signing with other nations. This historic treaty has provoked heated debate in the archipelago which is concerned about its sovereignty. On Thursday, May 9, the two countries signed an "explanatory memorandum" which, by removing certain grey areas, should enable the treaty to be implemented as early as 2024.
The main point of contention is Article 4 which stipulates that Canberra will have a say on "any partnership, agreement or commitment" that Tuvalu may wish to enter into with other states or entities on security and defense issues. This clause has been highly criticized by Tuvaluans who associate it with a right of veto.
To put an end to the debate, the memorandum specifies that this article will only apply in a "narrow set of circumstances" and that "Tuvalu does not need permission from Australia before it starts to talk with other partners." To allay any remaining doubts, he adds that either party "can suspend obligations and even terminate the treaty by mutual agreement or unilaterally."
In general terms, this memorandum details and confirms the main provisions of the treaty. It points out that the island-continent will come to the aid of the Polynesian islands in the event of military aggression, natural disaster or pandemic. But above all, Australia will offer permanent residence to 280 Tuvaluans each year "selected at random" from among the applicants – which should enable it to eventually welcome the archipelago's 11,200 inhabitants.
'Record levels'
Richard Gokrun, director of the Tuvalu Climate Action Network organization, who was contacted by telephone by Le Monde, has no intention of packing his bags, but would rather fight to ensure a future for his people, even if he can see the damage caused daily by climate change in his country of nine low-lying coral atolls. "One of the most worrying consequences of rising sea levels is the precariousness of our water and food security," said the young man, who is lucky enough to live in the highest area of the main island, Funafuti, at three meters above sea level. In February, his family stayed dry when most of his friends saw their homes flooded by a huge tide of unprecedented proportions.
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