Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Honiara (Agenzia Fides) -Solomon Islands is rediscovering life, hope and serenity a year after the arrival of the peacekeepers from Australia who came to restore order and security in a situation of conflict which had lasted five years (1998-2003). More than 20,000 people took to the streets to welcome home the national football team but they were celebrating much more than a sports event, local Church sources told Fides.
The people wanted to celebrate a return to normality after the social unrest in recent years which undermined the confidence of the people, investors and international observers.
It should be said that most of the Islands are self-providing. Not one island suffered massive famine, no dreaded disease killed thousands and women's, children's and the elderly's safety was guaranteed by people themselves.
“Our islanders speak 80 different dialects and keeping them united is no easy task. We have to work hard to strengthen unity from a human and spiritual point of view ”. Archbishop Adrian Smith of Honiara told Fides.
The demonstrations showed that the people have confidence in the nation and are committed to promoting national reconciliation to benefit all. They are anxious to resume day to day living, trade, fishing, tourism, fight corruption and make political reforms for the common good. A new season of peace is beginning in the country’s history.
While Solomons Islands puts civil unrest behind, the local Church is promoting various programmes of psychological support for persons traumatised by violence, destruction and fear. Healing wounds helps restore confidence especially among children, boys and girls and youths still marked by violence. Local Religious are working to restore peaceful and serene living conditions, promoting reconciliation among different ethnic groups, educating to a culture of peace and non-violence. In the meantime the military leader responsible for the violence have been arrested and many weapons have been confiscated or handed in by the people.
In July 2003 a peacekeeping force of 2,200 Australian soldiers landed on the Islands to restore order and security in a situation of chaos with paramilitary groups fighting a civil war, despite a cease fire agreement signed in 2000. Rebel leader Harold Keke publicly affirmed that the aim was independence while in a climate of total anarchy the people suffered from a total block of all economic activity. The arrival of the Australian peacekeepers helped placate ethnic and social tension.
Solomon Islands has a population of 450,000 95% Protestant Christians and about 90,000 Catholics. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/6/2004 lines 35 words 369)
