Peace and security gaining momentum

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Australia High Commissioner HE Roderick Brazier. Photo by Australian Government, DFAT

SOLOMON Islands is optimistic about its future with peace and security gaining momentum on a high note and people beginning to build trust in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

The assurance was made by the Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Roderick Brazier during a visit to the Royal Australian naval ships last week.

He said Solomon Islands is doing really well in terms of peace and security.

Mr Brazier adds, the country faces major challenges in terms peace and security only during the ethnic tension which is an effect of the civil war 15 years ago.

“Compared to many countries around the world, that have been through terrible trauma, Solomon Islands is doing really well, your economy is growing and developments are improving.

“Honiara is peaceful, Malaita is peaceful and people are optimistic about the future and certainly don’t want to go back to those awful days.”

Brazier said Solomon Islands is a very young country, and the current generation have no memories of the causes of past terrible days.

Brazier said it is a critical ingredient to ensure the economy remains growing so that people have hope in the future.

He said a strong economy will encourage kids to go to school and encourage friends and families to participate in community activities peacefully.

He adds, people now are expecting five to 10 years from now their lives will be better.

“I think keeping the economy healthy and growing which it is at the moment is really important ingredients to peace and security,” Brazier said.

Brazier pledged that Australian will continue to support the RSIPF purposely to gain trust on police forces.

“We know when we go around the country including places where tension was traumatic such as weather coast, and the trust in police force is high at the moment, but people still remembered the days when trust was low.”

On the other hand, Brazier acknowledged the Solomon Islands Government to continue providing resources to the police force so it can keep the peace and security in Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said Australia will continue to permanently build peace and security in Solomon Islands.

PM Hou adds that Australia and Solomon Islands have been strong partners into development aspects of the country including other development partners which resulted in country’s peace and security.

Solomon Islands have been working progressively for the SDGs Goal 16.

That is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

 

Photo caption—Australia High Commissioner HE Roderick Brazier.

Discover more from Theislandsun

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading