Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare at UN facilitated talks about building confidence as RAMSI goes. Photo: UNDP Solomon Islands
The United Nations says it is facilitating talks today and Tuesday in Solomon Islands partly to build confidence among the people as the Regional Assistance Mission prepares to leave.
The Australian led RAMSI mission departs the Solomons next week after providing protection and development assistance since 2003, following years of violent tension on Guadalcanal.
Solomon Islands' Police Commissioner, Matthew Varley (L), and RAMSI special coordinator Quinton Devlin (R). Photo: Solomon Islands UNDP
The talks, focussing on the sustainability of peace and the maintenance of security, are being hosted by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, but they are aimed at a wide cross section of Solomons' society.
The UNDP's Pacific resident, Osnat Lubrani, said they want to facilitate discussion around some of the difficult issues that the people in the Solomons don't have an opportunity to do, often enough.
"I think that that is a healthy thing and timed now with the withdrawal of RAMSI I think it is important to give those sorts of discussions momentum to build confidence in the country."
The UNDP's Pacific resident, Osnat Lubrani. Photo: Solomon Islands UNDP