The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) first arrived in Solomon Islands on 24 July 2003, at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Government. In April 2003, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza requested assistance from Australian Prime Minister John Howard, to help his troubled nation. On 5 June 2003, Sir Allan discussed the dire security situation with Mr Howard in Canberra.
On 30 June 2003, Foreign Minister Laurie Chan outlined in bleak terms the challenges facing government, security and the economy in his country, at a special meeting of Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers in Sydney. The Ministers agreed that the extent of the problems facing Solomon Islands called for a concerted regional response. The response, a comprehensive package of assistance later known as RAMSI, aimed to assist Solomon Islands restore law and order and facilitate economic recovery. Prior to arriving in the country, the Solomon Islands Parliament unanimously endorsed RAMSI and passed the Facilitation of International Assistance Act 2003 [1], which paved the way for RAMSI’s deployment.
RAMSI’s mandate was given to it by the Parliament of Solomon Islands. All members of the National Parliament voted in favour of inviting RAMSI to provide assistance to Solomon Islands. This assistance was endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum [2].
RAMSI’s immediate objective was to restore law and order. A 21-day firearms amnesty [2] was announced for the handing in of illegal weapons and as a result, over 3,000 firearms were surrendered or confiscated. Hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were also handed in. Many firearms were destroyed in public ceremonies conducted around the country. Following the amnesty, further weapons have been surrendered or confiscated and now almost 4,000 firearms have been removed from the Solomon Islands community since RAMSI’s arrival.
With RAMSI’s assistance, the Solomon Islands Government’s finances were stabilised and the focus then turned to longer-term issues, such as economic reform, public sector restructuring, strengthening the machinery of government, improving accountability and rebuilding the Solomon Islands Police Force.
RAMSI follows the systems and laws of Solomon Islands and is not trying to enforce foreign laws. RAMSI aims to help the people and Government of Solomon Islands to restore their own laws and systems which had previously broken down. The Parliament, the Government, Constitutional Office holders and the Public Service all remain responsible for exercising their respective functions, and they remain accountable to the people of Solomon Islands. RAMSI does not control government nor does it make national decisions on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government.
RAMSI focuses its work on three main broad areas:
- Machinery of Government [2] – helping Government better serve the people
- Economic Governance [2] – encouraging broad-based economic growth
- Law and Justice [2] – ensuring a safer and more secure Solomon Islands