The chief justice of Solomon Islands says the country must not waste the window of opportunity it has been given to get things right.
Chief Justice Sir Alber Palmer Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
Sir Albert Palmer's comment comes as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) wraps up 14 years of peace building work in the country on Friday.
The chief justice said the mission has given the government, leaders and people of Solomon Islands enough time to reflect on the mistakes of the past and prepare for the future.
"In terms of the rule of law, the administration of justice, political issues, economic issues [are] strengthened. We do not allow anything else to place us on the back foot again, were the opportunity is lost and we go back to the early days of the ethnic tension."
Celebrations to thank and farewell RAMSI continued today in the Honiara with an official cultural welcome for the leaders and representatives of the 15 Pacific Islands countries who contributed to RAMSI.