Peacekeepers return to Australia (10.08.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

Australian Defence Force peacekeepers returned from operations in Solomon Islands yesterday night, after supporting the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (RAMSI) for the past four months. … A new contingent from NSW 8th Brigade, with support from reserve units from across Australia, deployed to Solomon Islands last week, maintaining the ADF presence which has been ongoing since July 2003.

Government plans Forgiveness Bill (17.07.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

The Forgiveness Bills Steering committee will carry out a nation wide community consultation starting September this year, parliament was told yesterday. Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Sam Iduri revealed this when asked by Leader of Opposition Manasseh Sogavare.

RAMSI will build 200 new homes for police (22.05.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

RAMSI is to build 200 houses for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the next four years with funds granted in the latest Australian budget. The Commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott, announced the new $104.5 million (AUD 20 million) project at Rove Police headquarters yesterday.

Government-RAMSI pact takes a new step (16.05.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

Australia, Papua New Guinea, Niue, Tonga and Solomon Islands signed the SIG-RAMSI framework known as the ‘living document’ at the end of the third Forum Ministerial Standing Committee in Honiara. Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Duncan Kerr said it was a historic day for Solomon Islands and RAMSI. … “It clarifies the obligations and tasks in front of RAMSI,” he said. … Mr Kerr said he was pleased to announce that in the recent Australian budget, there was forward funding for the Mission until 2013.

Haomae opens enhanced consultative meeting on RAMSI (13.05.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, William Haomae says ongoing consultations on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is crucial to ensure necessary adjustments are made to match the changing situation in Solomon Islands. In his address at the opening of the fifth Enhanced Consultative Meeting (ECM) on RAMSI in Honiara today, Mr Haomae said outcomes of the meeting will help all partners in the mission to make proper adjustments suitable to address the needs of Solomon Islanders.

UN resident coordinator presents credentials (04.05.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

The newly appointed United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Knut Ostby, presented his credentials to Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua in Honiara yesterday morning. Mr Ostby will represent the UN and UNDP in 10 countries, including Solomon Islands. The UN Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking UN official in the Pacific, and is based in Suva.

Solomons launches truth inquiry (29.04.2009)

(Source: BBC / UK)

Thousands of Solomon Islanders have attended the launch of a national truth and reconciliation commission in the capital, Honiara. The panel will investigate the conflict between rival ethnic militias in which more than 100 people died and 20,000 were displaced between 1997 and 2003.

Tutu to start Solomons reconciliation commission (22.04.2009)

(Source: Business Day / South Africa)

A Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be launched by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu next week will ease lingering ethnic tension over past unrest, officials said today.

EU increases funding (30.03.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

The European Union would inject $80-million towards its Micro Project Phase 111 in Solomon Islands this year. This was an increase of $30-million from its $50-million injected in Micro Project phase 11.

‘Probe Bougainville crisis spill over to Solomon Islands’ (30.03.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

There had been strong support to look into the spill over of the Bougainville crisis into Western and Choiseul Provinces and its possible influence on the ethnic tension in Solomon Islands. Participants of the recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and National Selection Committee (NSC) workshop at Gizo echoed their support for the expansion of the TRC role to look into the issue.

Police set strong future direction (09.03.2009)

(Source: Solomon Star / Solomon Islands)

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force held a significant planning workshop at Honiara Hotel on Friday to set their Strategic Directions in partnership with RAMSI Participating Police Force. Acting Assistant Commissioner Gwen Ratu led a presentation and discussion between RSIPF and PPF Executives to endorse the future direction of policing in the Solomon Islands from 2010 and beyond.

Villagers seek peace through traditional rituals (04.03.2009)

(Source: Irinnews / International)

More than 2,000 people braved the heat on 28 February to attend a ceremony in Viqueque District that the government hopes will cool 50 years of tension. Held in a suco (village) in Viqueque Town sub-district, the nahe biti bo'ot ("spreading the large mat") ceremony was the result of a joint dialogue project between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Security Council extends Timor-Leste peacekeeping mission (27.02.2009)

(Source: UN News / International)

The Security Council today extended for one more year the mandate of the peacekeeping mission it sent to help stabilize the fledgling nation of Timor-Leste in the wake of violent clashes in 2006. In the unanimously-adopted resolution extending the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), the 15-member body also requested the mission to provide support for elections currently planned for 2009, responding to an appeal by the Government.

Solomons force fit to keep the peace? (23.02.2009)

(Source: BBC / UK)

A parliamentary panel in the Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, is debating the future of an Australian-led peacekeeping force. The UN has praised it as a model of regional intervention - but is its work now done? The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is not one of the world's best-known peacekeeping forces. But the story of how peace has been built here, in this former British protectorate, is largely a story of success.

RAMSI’s new special coordinator welcomed in Solomon Islands (27.01.2009)

(Source: Radio New Zealand International / New Zealand)

In Solomon Islands, the Chiefs and people of Salesapa Village, Gela Island, put on a special welcome for RAMSI’s new Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson and his family.

Guale peace committee meets this week (03.11.2008)

(Quelle: Solomon Star) The Guadalcanal Province Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee second meeting has been rescheduled for this month. … The meeting is aimed at discussing and putting together a peace and reconciliation program activities for 2009 which should see reconciliations of the different parties to the recent ethnic tension in Guadalcanal reconciling with each other. This should lead to an inter-provincial reconciliation after which should then lead on to a national reconciliation.

Sir Peter: time to rearm our police (29.10.2008)

(Solomon Star) Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea said the time is now right for the Government to rearm the police force. He said this is important for the future security of this nation and while RAMSI is still here. Sir Peter, who is the country’s first prime minister, said this when he appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee yesterday.

More Australian troops heading for Solomons (27.10.2008)

(Solomon Star) Another 140 Australian reserve soldiers will be deployed to the Solomon Islands to help maintain peace and stability, the federal government has announced. The soldiers will join in Operation ANODE, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

New RAMSI special co-ordinator named (21.10.2008)

(Quelle: Radio New Zealand International) Australia’s government has announced the new special co-ordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Graeme Wilson is expected to replace fellow Australian Tim George as Special Co-ordinator in January next year.

RAMSI chief hails partnership (12.09.2008)

(Quelle: Solomon Star) RAMSI Special Coordinator Tim George said it was an honour to be co-host with Parliamentary Speaker, Sir Peter Kenilorea, at an event to mark five years of the mission’s partnership with Solomon Islands. … The anniversary function recognised the central role Parliament and elected members have played in the partnership from the initial invitation to RAMSI in 2003.

Truth body not court, parliament assured (01.09.2008)

(Quelle: Solomon Star) The new Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not a court of law but is to help safeguard the future, Parliament was told. Parliament passed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill 2008. It aims to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will inquire into the causes of the ethnic tension late 1990s-early 2000s.

George says RAMSI has the local support (30.07.2008)

(Quelle: Solomon Star) The special coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Tim George, says there is local support for RAMSI to continue. Mr George has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat programme RAMSI has a very good working relationship with the current Solomons government. He says while RAMSI won't be in the Solomons forever, locals feel there is still a need for the mission.

Cabinet axes RAMSI envoy (17.03.2008)

(Quelle: Solomon Star) The Government has sacked Michael Maina as its special envoy to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). This is allegedly for his refusal to drop a 2006 election petition case against a senior Sikua Government Cabinet Minister. It’s the second time Mr Maina has been removed from the post, reportedly for the same reason.

Solomon Islands elects new prime minister (20.12.2007)

(Quelle: Asia-Pacific Daily Report) Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands elected a new prime minister on Thursday (December 20), a week after former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was ousted in a no-confidence vote.

Solomon Islands PM ousted in vote (13.12.2007)

(Quelle: BBC) The prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, has been ousted in a vote of no-confidence. … He has a strained relationship with Australia, which has had a peacekeeping mission in the Solomon Islands since 2003, when it was invited there by the government to restore order.

Tensions ahead of Solomons vote (09.08.2007)

(Quelle: BBC) Tensions are rising in the Solomon Islands after the arrest of an opposition MP ahead of a no-confidence motion against PM Manasseh Sogavare. The vote, due on Friday, was called by the opposition over Mr Sogavare's controversial appointment of Julian Moti as attorney-general.

Solomons demands mission deadline (12.02.2007)

(Quelle: BBC) The Solomon Islands government has demanded a time-frame for the withdrawal of Australian-led peacekeeping forces. Foreign Minister Patteson Oti told Pacific Islands Forum members that they should discuss an exit strategy. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Ramsi) began work in 2003, to help restore peace after years of ethnic unrest. Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific states have contributed troops. … 'I'm not saying that Ramsi should leave tomorrow or soon, no, far from it. But at least we can work towards a time-frame so that Solomon Islanders will not become dependent on Ramsi,'' Mr Oti is quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. He also said the mission should maintain its regional character rather than being 'Australian-dictated'.

Solomons mission to be reviewed (25.10.2006)

(Quelle: BBC) Leaders of the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum have agreed to review the operations of an Australian-led security force in the Solomon Islands. The move came as a result of complaints from Solomons leader Manasseh Sogavare. Ahead of the regional meeting, Mr Sogavare had threatened to expel the peace mission after Australian police took part in a raid on his office.

Solomons PM criticises Australia (18.09.2006)

(Quelle: BBC) The prime minister of the Solomon Islands has accused Australia of 'heavy-handed' interference in his country's domestic affairs. Manasseh Sogavare said he feared a repeat of clashes earlier this year because an Australian-led security force sent to end unrest had failed. His comments are the latest in an escalating row between the two countries over the April riots. Australia wants the Honiara government to cancel an inquiry into the violence.

Australia issues Solomons threat (13.09.2006)

(Quelle: BBC) Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has threatened to withdraw some visa privileges for Solomon Islands politicians, local media said. The threat came in retaliation for the Solomons' expulsion of Australia's top diplomat, in a growing row over a police investigation into April riots.