The Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia has challenged Solomon Islanders to chart a path for the future as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands departs.
Reverend George Takeli. Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
Reverend George Takeli was speaking during a thanksgiving service held on Sunday marking the start of a week of celebrations to farewell the Australian-led mission.
For the past 14 years the mission has been helping the country recover from a bloody ethnic conflict and subsequent tension.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Maranatha Hall east of Honiara for the service which was also attended by the governor general Sir Frank Kabui, the prime minister Manasseh Sogavare and the chief justice Sir Albert Palmer.
Senior representatives of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, RAMSI and various dignitaries from participating countries were also present.
During his sermon Reverend Takeli challenged Solomon Islanders.
"What are we looking for? And where do we go from here? As we celebrate this service, do we have a goal? Do we have an aim? A saying goes 'if we aim at nothing, we will hit nothing'."