Interethnic Conflict in the Solomon Islands (1998-2003)

The geographical fragmentation of the Solomon Islands (seven large islands and many small ones, including remote ones) and multilingualism (87 languages) made centralized government difficult. After independence in 1978, the population did not have any awareness of any political community. The central government was located on the island of Guadalcanal . In order to improve the economic situation and political influence, an uncontrolled relocation of the inhabitants of the island of Malaita to Guadalcanal took place. There, the Malayites bought up a large number of land plots of local residents. The system of land inheritance in the Solomon Islands is matriarchal . Many sellers in this regard did not have the right to sell land, which led to the requirements of its restitution by local clans; then it came to the first acts of violence. Residents of remote islands demanded the possibility of participation in the political life of the country and public investment in the periphery. Then, the expert commission prepared a proposal to amend the constitution, which would ensure the transition of the state from a unitary political system to a federal one and would be aimed at curbing political corruption throughout the country. These proposals, however, were not put into practice.

In 1998, the governor of the province of Guadalcanal, Ezikiel Alebois , addressed immigrants from Malaita, in which he urged them to respect the indigenous people of Guadalcanal with great respect and to compensate the locals for the damage caused by emigrants. Soon, young Guadalcanals attacked the Malays in the capital of the country, the city of Honiara . The Guadalcanal Revolutionaries, who had already obtained weapons, founded the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army, a militarized organization that was later renamed the Isatabu Freedom Movement. The following year, violence against the Malays increased, prompting many of them to leave Guadalcanal. Those who remained to protect themselves from IFM created the Malaita Eagle Force, whose mission was to protect the Malay population and demand compensation for damage caused to it. Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufaalu requested assistance from the international community, since the national armed forces were not enough to stabilize the situation in the country. Australia and New Zealand promised to provide financial assistance, but at that time they did not express readiness to take military part in resolving the situation. The Government of the Solomon Islands entered into negotiations with the conflicting parties, however, all peace agreements were constantly violated several days after the conclusion. On July 5, 2000, the paramilitary Malayan organization Seagulls, together with MEF, revolted. Ulufaalu was captured in his house. The rebels occupied police stations and handed out weapons there to MEF fighters. Manasse Sogawara was declared Prime Minister, but in this status he was recognized only by MEF representatives. This has led to increased confrontation between MEF and IFM and increased robbery. According to various estimates, from 12 ^[2] to 489 ^[3] people became victims of the clashes. On October 15, 2000, a two-year temporary cease-fire was signed in Townsville. In December 2001, Allan Kemakeza was appointed Prime Minister. He, like his predecessor, turned to Australia and New Zealand for help. The latter offered their mediation services during the negotiations and promised financial assistance, but again excluded the possibility of military participation. The country's GDP fell by 25%, international investment fell by 70%. Soon after the conclusion of the Townsville agreement, clashes resumed. A large number of weapons were in free circulation. The authorities were no longer able to deal effectively with political and criminal crimes. In some cases, officials and the police were involved in criminal activity ^[4] .

In the summer of 2003, Australia and New Zealand decided to send troops to the Solomon Islands. The fact that the Solomon Islands was not able to independently provide stability on its territory was cited as the reason for this, in connection with which it was expressed concern that the state could become the field of action of various criminal and terrorist organizations. In addition, concerns were expressed about the spread of the conflict on the territory of Bougainville Island, which is part of Papua New Guinea (the rebellion of which was suppressed only in 1998). A task force was created under the name “Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands” (RAMSI) with a total of 2,225 people. It consisted of 1,500 soldiers and 155 police officers from Australia and 105 soldiers and 35 police officers from New Zealand. On July 24, 2003, an operation called the “Operation Helpem Fren” began in the Solomon Islands. The possession of firearms was prosecuted. All handguns could be surrendered without liability within 21 days. 3400 trunks were delivered ^[5] . West Coast militia leader Harold Kreck surrendered. The armed forces of both sides of the conflict were poorly armed, did not have the proper military training and discipline. By the end of 2003, the law and the safety of the population had been largely restored in the Solomon Islands. About 5500 of those participating in the clashes were arrested. Public finances were consolidated, wages and salaries of civil and civil servants were paid. The restructuring of the Solomon police was carried out (with 100 people arrested, 400 dismissed). The introduction of foreign troops was welcomed by the majority of the population.

• Hinsch, Wilfried; Janssen, Dieter: Die erfolgreiche Intervention: die Salomonen-Inseln . In Hinsch, Janssen: Menschenrechte militärisch schützen. 2006. ISBN 978-3-406-54099-8
• Warren Karle: Conflict in the ‚Happy Isles': The role of ethnicity in the outbreak of violence in Solomon Islands . In: Monograph Series. Nr. 5, Australian Defense College, Canberra 2005.

• Townsville-Abkommen
• Volltext sämtlicher Friedensabkommen (English)
• Kabutaulaka, Tarcisius Tara: Australian Foreign Policy and the RAMSI intervention in Solomon Islands