RAMSI

REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS (RAMSI)

The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is an Australian-led regional peace-keeping force that has had a presence in the Solomons since 2003.  Then-Prime Minister Allen Kemakeza invited the force to help quell the violent ethnic conflicts between Guadalcanal and Malatian militants that had exploded at the time. RAMSI is comprised of 2200 police and military units meant to provide security and logistical assistance to the Solomons government.  The Pacific Islands Forum heads a review process in which the Forum, RAMSI, and the Solomons government review the mission’s progress and problems.

Current Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has a history of tension with RAMSI, but had seemed to have shifted his position.  However, this was not the case; he demanded a review of RAMSI and then refused to meet with the reviewers in late September 2007.  He then stated that his government would conduct a review itself, by reviewing the Facilitation of International Assistance Act (FIAA), which provides the legal basis for RAMSI’s presence and jurisdiction in the Solomons.

On 02 October 2007, Solomons Foreign Minister Patterson Oti told the General Assembly of the United Nations that the UN should be more involved in regional peace-keeping missions, saying that Australia was conducting RAMSI in order to benefit its own political and economic interest.  In mid-October, the Solomons boycotted the Pacific Islands Forum conference over its issues with RAMSI.  In late October, Oti said that members of RAMSI violated Solomons immigration laws by bringing their same-sex spouses into the Solomons under FIAA, when the Solomons only recognizes opposite-sex marriage.

Leaked copies of the review demanded by Sogavare have revealed that the review found RAMSI to be a positive influence which should be continued, and RAMSI claims that public opinion is in support of RAMSI remaining in the Solomons, with polls to support this claim.  There have been some reports of RAMSI brutality, which are investigated and where necessary, RAMSI issues apologies or unofficially waives its immunity by allowing cases to proceed in court.

For more information, please see:

Special Coordinater Reaffirms Need for RAMSI Immunity (23 May 2007)

Legal Gun Owners Will be Compensated; Rearmament of Police Force Controversial (26 July 2007)

Solomons PM Seeks Review of RAMSI; Refuses to Meet With Reviewers and Cancels RAMSI Presentation (23 September 2007)

Solomons Tells UN RAMSI Must Go (05 October 2007)

Solomon Islands Boycotts Regional Forum Over RAMSI Issues (15 October 2007)

Solomon Islands Says RAMSI Violated Immigration Laws (27 October 2007)

RAMSI Probes Alleged Brutality by Tongan Force (03 November 2007)