Salomon Islands
Current Operations
RAMSI
Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Other)
Since: 07/03
More Information
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.
Inquiry to probe Solomons riots (14.07.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) The Solomon Islands has set up a commission to investigate the riots which erupted in the capital in April. 'I appeal to everyone to assist in unravelling the truth,' said Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Thousands of rioters burned down buildings in Honiara's Chinese district, angered by the election of Snyder Rini as prime minister. The protesters alleged that either China or Taiwan had paid lawmakers to vote for him. … The commission is due to start work before the end of July, and complete its task within six months.
Solomon Islands police patrol border daily after raid (26.06.2006)
(Quelle: Radio New Zealand) The police in Solomon Islands are conducting daily patrols along the border with the Papua New Guinea autonomous province of Bougainville after a suspected cross border incident. The Assistant Commissioner Operations, Edmond Sikua, says villagers in the area asked police to increase patrols after a recent incident in which 8 armed men raided Samanago village.
Opposition leader named PM (05.05.2006)
(Quelle: globeandmail) Parliament chose an opposition leader as the new prime minister of the troubled Solomon Islands on Thursday, replacing a predecessor whose election last month sparked riots over corruption allegations. Manasseh Sogavare, backed by a four-party coalition, campaigned on pledges to clean up endemic corruption in the South Pacific nation, which relies on foreign peacekeepers to maintain order.
New PM elected (04.05.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) The Solomon Islands opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare has been chosen as the nation's new prime minister. The original choice, Snyder Rini, resigned last week after his election sparked riots in the capital, Honiara.
Embattled PM steps down (26.04.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) The new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Snyder Rini, whose election last week triggered widespread rioting in the capital Honiara, has resigned. He announced he was quitting just before MPs were due to vote in a no-confidence motion against him.
Australia beefs up Solomons force (21.04.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) Australia is doubling the number of troops it is sending to the Solomon Islands following riots in protest over the new Prime Minister Snyder Rini. Australian PM John Howard said a further 110 soldiers would leave on Friday at the request of commanders of the peacekeeping force deployed there. Mr Rini has ruled out resigning, despite two days of riots that has left parts of the capital Honiara in ruins. He denies allegations of links to widespread corruption in the past.
Foreign troops head to Solomons (19.04.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) Australia and New Zealand are sending extra troops to the Solomon Islands to help restore peace after rioting and looting in the capital, Honiara. Violent protests erupted on Tuesday after parliament elected a new Prime Minister, Snyder Rini. Mr Rini's opponents accuse him of corruption and of favouring Chinese businessmen, says the BBC's Phil Mercer.
Solomon Islands begin elections (05.04.2006)
(Quelle: BBC) People in the South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands are voting in the first elections since a regional force restored peace in 2003. Early reports say polling has been peaceful, and officials say they are not expecting any trouble. … The United Nations has sent a team of 44 observers to monitor the election.
Man charged over Solomons death (24.12.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) Police have charged a man over the death of an Australian peacekeeper in the Solomon Islands earlier this week. Australian officials said the man, who turned himself in voluntarily at a police station, has been assisting in the investigation. The authorities also want to question someone named James Tatau over the death of Adam Dunning. Dunning, 26, was shot twice in the back by a sniper during an overnight patrol in the capital, Honiara. Australia has since announced it is sending 100 extra troops to the Solomon Islands following the death.
Peacekeeper Shot Dead in Solomons (22.12.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) An Australian policeman has been shot dead in the Solomon Islands, the first casualty in Australia's peacekeeping operation in the South Pacific. Adam Dunning, 26, was shot twice in the back while on patrol in the Solomons capital Honiara. The incident occurred in an area that was controlled by armed gangs before the arrival of an Australian-led peacekeeping force in summer 2003. The force, once more than 2,000 strong, has been scaled back to about 300.
Most of remaining Australian troops to return home by end of August (25.06.2004)
(Quelle: Asia Pacific Daily Report) Australian officials said today that most of the Australian troops sent to the Solomon Islands to restore law and order to the troubled Pacific nation almost one year ago will return to Australia by the end of August. … “The latest withdrawals will leave around 100 troops in (the) Solomon Islands at the end of August,” Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Defense Minister Robert Hill said. Around 650 Australian troops remain in the country now, but it was not immediately clear how many New Zealand troops were left.
Solomons enjoy new-found stability (15.06.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) It is almost a year since peacekeepers from across the South Pacific arrived to restore order in one of the region's poorest countries after years of ethnic unrest. 'It's been a great success,' said Nick Warner, the high ranking Australian diplomat who is in charge of the multinational rescue mission. … What now lies ahead will be a test of patience and resolve, as the international rescue mission enters a new phase.
Australian 'abducted' in Solomons (20.04.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) An investigation has begun into claims that a female Australian peacekeeper was abducted by a gang of men in the Solomon Islands. … According to reports from the Solomon Islands, the woman - a military medical officer - was kidnapped in the capital Honiara by a group of men.
730 RAMSI troops remain in the Solomons (18.03.2004)
(Quelle: Asia Pacific Daily Report) The Solomon Islands-based People First Network reports that all of the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) who had fled the troubled Weather Coast area to the capital, Honiara, from violence have returned to their homes. … The network reports that law and order has returned to the Weather Coast area on Guadalcanal Island and the Participating Police Force (PPF) has assumed a greater role in providing security to the region. … Most of the troops sent to the area had been withdrawn in November. … A total of some 730 RAMSI troops remain in the Solomons, most in the capital Honiara, and are supported by sea and air elements.
Peacekeepers to Leave Weathercoast (19.02.2004)
(Quelle: EastWestCenter) The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) will soon withdraw its military element posted at the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal. This follows encouraging reports of improvements on law and order in the area. RAMSI says only a small number of troops will accompany the last group of internally displaced people from Weathercoast, who will return to their homes soon. A large RAMSI's military presence is located in the capital Honiara, consisting mainly of support and logistic elements. However, military response forces remain located on Malaita. A total of 730 RAMSI military personnel are still in Solomon Islands. They are supported by a maritime and air elements.
Key Militant Charged with Murder (09.12.2003)
(Quelle: Sidney Herald Tribune) Notorious Solomon Islands militia leader Andrew Te'e was yesterday charged with murder by the Australian-led intervention force. … relating to killings which occurred during five years of ethnic fighting in the Solomon Islands. … Australia's Acting Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Ben McDevitt said Te'e's arrest was very significant for the peace process.
Lawless Solomon Area now 'Safe' (19.11.2003)
(Quelle: BBC World) The restoration of law and order on the Weather Coast was a priority for Australian-led peacekeepers, who arrived in the Solomons in July. Key suspects were eventually taken into custody, through careful negotiation rather than the blunt arm of military force. … The situation on the Weather Coast is considered to be stable and under the control of the police.
Top Police Officer Arrested (04.11.2003)
(Quelle: BBC World) Australian police investigating corruption in the Solomon Islands have arrested the most senior local police officer so far. … Peacekeepers in the Solomons have described his arrest as a significant step towards cleaning up the local police force. Rogue elements have in part been responsible for the chaos that has gripped the South Pacific nation in recent years.
Donors Line up to Assist Solomons (03.11.2003)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) Aid donors met in Australia on Monday to discuss how to help rebuild the economy and infrastructure of the Solomon Islands, ruined by years of civil war and militia violence. As well as Australia and the Solomon Islands, other participants included the United States, Japan, France, Britain, New Zealand, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program.
Australia to Start Troop Withdrawal (28.10.2003)
(Quelle: BBC World) Australian peacekeepers are to begin leaving the Solomon Islands having helped restore order there, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said. … Australia contributed 1,400 of its soldiers to the force and has now announced that 800 will be brought home by early December, leaving just 200 along with police and defence support staff.
Australia Expects Troop Draw-Down (16.10.2003)
(Quelle: Sidney Morning Herald) Some Australian troops serving in the Solomon Islands could be home before Christmas, Defence Minister Robert Hill said today. … Senator Hill said the mission had had significant successes on Guadalcanal but there was still considerable work to do on Malaita.
Australian Troops Could Return Home Soon (28.09.2003)
(Quelle: Sidney Morning Herald) Australian troops should be able to return from the Solomon Islands soon, Treasurer Peter Costello said today. More than 1400 Australian defence personnel and almost 200 police and security staff have been in the Solomons for just over two months, helping restore law and order. Mr Costello said the Australian Federal Police would stay for a long time, but that the troops had already achieved most of their tasks.
Friedensmission im Südseeparadies (22.09.2003)
(Quelle: SZ) Vor zwei Monaten begann eine internationale Eingreiftruppe unter der Führung Australiens auf den Salomonen den größten Militäreinsatz im Südpazifik seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. … 2500 Polizisten und Soldaten versuchen derzeit, auf dem Archipel wieder Recht und Ordnung herzustellen. „Es ist vielleicht die letzte Chance, die Salomonen vor der Anarchie zu retten“, meint der Leiter der Operation, der Australier Nick Warner.
Warlord Charged with Murder (11.09.2003)
(Quelle: BBC World) Solomon Islands leader Harold Keke has been charged with the murder of a parliamentarian. The war-lord, who was arrested by Australian-led peacekeepers last month, has already been charged with attempted murder, firearms possession and running an unlawful society.
Australia Pays Keke’s Lawyer (28.08.2003)
(Quelle: Sidney Morning Herald) Australia is paying a lawyer to represent the Solomon Islands rebel leader Harold Keke, who is being investigated for dozens of atrocities but has also raised allegations against the Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza. The Australian-led intervention force said yesterday that it was important for Keke to be able to tell his side of the story when he appears in court today.