The Tensions

The Tensions were a period of civil unrest that was mainly characterised by fighting between different ethnic militant groups. In December 1998, existing ethnic tensions on Guadalcanal rapidly escalated. Many Guales (people ethnically from Guadalcanal) resented the influence of settlers from other islands and their occupation of undeveloped land in and around Honiara. The settlers, mostly from nearby Malaita, were drawn to Honiara by comparatively greater economic opportunities.

Guale militants, under the banner of the Isatabu Freedom Movement (also known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army), began a campaign of intimidation and violence towards Malaitan settlers on Guadalcanal. During the next year, thousands of Malaitans fled back to Malaita or to the capital, Honiara, where there was a large Malaitan community. In 1999, the Malaita Eagle Force was established in response.

The Solomon Islands Government struggled to respond to the complexities of this evolving conflict. In late 1999, the government declared a four-month state of emergency. There were also a number of attempts at reconciliation but to no avail. The Solomon Islands Government requested assistance from Australia and New Zealand in 1999, but this appeal was rejected.

In June 2000, the Prime Minister, Bartholomew Ulufa’alu was kidnapped by militia members of the Malaita Eagle Force who felt that, although he was a Malaitan, he was not doing enough to protect their interests. Ulufa’alu subsequently resigned in exchange for his release.

In October 2000, the Townsville Peace Agreementwas signed by the Malaita Eagle Force, elements of the Istabu Freedom Movement and the Solomon Islands Government. This was closely followed by the Marau Peace agreement in February 2001, signed by other militant groups, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, and the Solomon Islands Government.

However, a key Guale militant leader, Harold Keke, refused to sign the agreement, causing a split with the other Guale groups. Subsequently, Guale signatories to the agreement led by Andrew Te’e joined with the Malaitan-dominated police to form the ‘Joint Operations Force’. During the next two years the conflict moved to the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal as the Joint Operation unsuccessfully attempted to capture Keke and his group.

New elections in December 2001 saw Sir Allan Kemakeza become Prime Minister. Law and order further deteriorated as the nature of the conflict shifted. There was continuing violence on the Weathercoast while militants in Honiara increasingly turned their attention to crime and extortion. The Department of Finance would often be surrounded by armed men when funding was due to arrive. In December 2002, Finance Minister Laurie Chan resigned after being forced at gunpoint to sign a cheque made out to some of the militants.

Conflict also broke out in Western Province between locals and Malaitan settlers. Renegade members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army were invited in as a protection force but ended up causing as much trouble as they prevented.

The prevailing atmosphere of lawlessness, widespread extortion, and ineffective police prompted a formal request by the Solomon Islands Government for outside help. This led to the creation of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

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