The Reason for RAMSI

In late 1998 many people on Guadalcanal became unhappy with the number of people arriving from nearby Malaita. Militant locals began a campaign of intimidation and violence resulting in the sudden migration of thousands of Malaitans back to Malaita or to the capital Honiara. Over the next year the country spiraled into anarchy. A four month state of emergency was called. The president was kidnapped by the opposing militia, the colourfully named Malita Eagles. A new president, Manasseh Sogavare was elected with half the cabinet kept away from the vote because the Malaita Eagle force had taken over the military police. A peace agreement was signed in 2000 but by then the government was completely corrupt and out of control.

One Malaitan leader, Harold Keke, didn't sign the peace agreement and continued an all out guerrilla war. Locals in the Western province also began attacking Malaitan settlers. This resulted in the involvement or rebel members of the nearby Bougainville Revolutionary Army becoming involved. Rather than keep the peace they made a significant contribution to the violence.

By 2003 the Solomon Islands were an official "failed state". Honiara was completely lawless, ruled by gangs and witness to many atrocities. The government called for support. In July 2003 the 2200 troops and police led by Australia and New Zealand arrived as RAMSI - the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. About 20 other Pacific nations contributed troops or police in what was quite a new regional peace keeping initiative.

Law and order was gradually restored and an enormous number of guns and weapons removed from the community. Work has continued restoring the parliamentary system, the judiciary, the police and prisons and general utilities.

In 2006 simmering tensions were set off by allegations the newly elected Prime Minister, Snyder Rini, had taken bribes from Chinese businessmen to influence ministers. Rioting broke out very suddenly and the Chinatown district of Honiara was burnt down. More troops from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji quelled the unrest and the Prime Minister resigned.

Manasseh Sogavare was elected and is still the Prime Minister. He has been openly hostile to Australia and the RAMSI force, expelling the Australian High Commissioner on charges of interference with internal matters. In return the recent Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer openly criticised Mr Sogavare and suggested he was corrupt in the Australian media. Relations soured further when Australia requested the the Solomon's Attorney General, Julian Moti, be extradited on child sex charges.

The Australian Government currently recommends a High degree of caution when travelling to the Solomons. While law and order have been restored it is not clever to be out in Honiara after dark.