AUSTRALIAN diplomats have assured Solomon Islanders of their safety when the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) leaves on 30th June 2017.
Fiona Hoggart, Counsellor (political) and Grant Follett, acting Counsellor (Governance and Justice) in the Australia High Commission, made the assurance during a media workshop in Honiara last Wednesday.
This came after veteran journalist, Alfred Sasako, reported that following his conversation with ordinary citizens and business people, they have raised fears of uncertainty if RAMSI leaves next year.
This is because there are still some guns out there in the communities.
However, Ms Hoggart said they don’t anticipate there will be problems.
“We try to demonstrate to the public that Australia is a security partner to Solomon Islands and we are not walking away,” Ms Hoggart said.
“At the end of RAMSI and participating countries, we felt like, we could read in newspaper, what will happen if RAMSI leaves? Australia will still be here,” she said.
Mr Follet said it is natural that people will think that way.
He said when RAMSI military left, people were asking the same questions as well.
“Of course, none of that happen.
“Now we are in a very similar situation,” he said.
Alex Cameron, Deputy RAMSI Special Coordinator, said there are still guns out there but not many as people think.
Mr Cameron said if you look at rates of gun crimes in Solomon Islands, they are among the lowest in the world.
He said since RAMSI was here, there were 15 confirmed uses of fire arms, which is a very low rate.
Furthermore, MrCameron said RAMSI is working with the police to address the guns in the communities.
He appeals to the communities to report any sighting of guns so police can get hold of them.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
