Twelve years after arriving to restore law and order, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Police Force will on Friday leave Malaita province.
Photo: RAMSI
The Australia-led force was deployed in 2003 after five years of ethnic tensions during which hundreds of people were killed, and thousands forced to flee their homes.
RAMSI has been gradually withdrawing its presence throughout the country as the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force takes control of frontline policing.
The RAMSI force commander, Greg Harrigan, says the police force in Malaita has proven it can maintain law and order without frontline assistance from RAMSI.
Mr Harrigan says RAMSI will continue to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force through its mentoring programmes and other assistance schemes.
Commissioner of Police, Frank Prendergast; Minister of Police, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka; Malaita Deputy Premier, Hon. Alick Maeaba; RAMSI Special Coordinator, Justine Braithwaite; Commander RAMSI PPF, Greg Harrigan; and Malaita PPC, Alfred Uiga in front of the new Auki Police station. Photo: supplied