Solomon Islands
"The highlight of the mission was being accepted as part of the community. It was very unique to have a woman in authority. I talked to lots of women's and community groups about some major problems in the Solomon Islands, like domestic violence and incest. All in all, I came away from the experience with nothing but positives."
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In 2003, the New Zealand police joined a fifteen country international assistance programme (RAMSI) to restore law and order in the Solomon Islands.
The Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was established after the Solomon Islands government called on international assistance to eliminate corruption from its public institutions and help re-build the country's crumbling social and economic infrastructure.
At this time, the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) was incapable of restoring order. Corrupt police members, so called 'special constables' would frequently extort money from cabinet ministers with the use of high-powered military style weapons stolen from the police armoury.
New Zealand police were deployed under RAMSI to act as part of an international police force to help in the conviction and arrest of several corrupt police members in top levels of police management.
Since then, they have worked in an operational policing capacity alongside the RSIP.
Prior to the establishment of RAMSI, the New Zealand and Australian police were involved in the Solomon Islands Policing Project (SIPP)
SIPP was created after a short civil war in 2001 that was triggered by an ethnic conflict. It is estimated that approximately 1000 people died in the armed conflict.
General tasks
The agreement made between the Solomon Islands government and fifteen contributing countries involved in RAMSI, established the following goals -
- Repair and reform the machinery of government, improve government accountability and improve the delivery of services in urban and provincial areas
- Improve economic governance and strengthen the government’s financial systems
- Help rebuild the economy and encourage sustainable broad-based growth
- Build strong and peaceful communities
- New Zealand police working under the RAMSI agreement helped to eliminate corruption in the top levels of police management. In January 2005, RAMSI entered the next phase of 'capacity building' which involves working to re-build the police infrastructure.
Project Description
RAMSI is a long-term partnership to ensure that the general infrastructure of the country is in good working order. Improving the overall transport infrastructure in aviation, shipping and roading is a key priority as well as building integral government services, such as policing.
Timeline
- 2000 - Both the Australian and New Zealand Defense Forces enter into the Solomon Islands to restore after armed conflict erupts.
- Nov 2000 - An unarmed Australia/New Zealand International Peace Monitoring Team is established following a peace settlement between the combatants. The team, which consists of Police and Defence staff, commences the restoration of peace and public confidence in the Solomon Islands.
- 2001 - The New Zealand Police enters the region under the Solomon Island Policing Project.
- 2003 - Operation Galaxy is launched. The first significant police contingent is deployed to the Solomon Islands under the RAMSI agreement.
- Jan 2005 - RAMSI moves into policing capacity development role.
Related sites
- Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
- Solomon Islands - CIA World Fact Book
- Solomon Islands - New Zealand Defence Force
Further reading
- Solomon's service comes to an end - Community Edition
