Dear Editor – By now the RAMSI personnel who left the ‘Hapi Isles’ on June 30th 2017 would have arrived safely in their countries and are with their loved ones.
RAMSI arrived on our shores by air and by sea in 2003 armed to its teeth and left on June 30th 2017 as unforgettable friends.
Now after RAMSI’s departure, the country feels absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Solomon Islander of all ages turned up in their thousands to farewell RAMSI on the 29th June 2017.
That crowd was larger than the crowd which witness this country’s independence on 7th of July 1978. Back then, the population of Honiara was less than 40,000 people.
Whilst the atmosphere at Lawson Tama was filled with excitement and high expectation on 7th July 1978, the air was sombre and mooted on Thursday afternoon June 29th 2017.
I had been privileged to share the sentiments of both momentous occasions with those who were present at Lawson Tama.
RAMSI had indeed been a great success in regional co-operation in this part of the world.
As a tribute to RAMSI’s success story, I wish to put forward three proposals for the National Government and Honiara City Council to consider, first the government to set aside June 29th as RAMSI day as it has done this year.
On this day peace activities are to be staged throughout Solomon Islands.
Secondly, the Children who were born between July 24th 2003 and 30th June 2017 are referred to as “the RAMSI generation” and thirdly the Honiara City Council to consider naming one of the Honiara Streets as ‘RAMSI Street’.
In my humble view, implementing those three proposals would honour the good work done by our brothers and sisters from the region who had served as RAMSI personnel during the 14 years 2003-2017.
RAMSI being a unique mission the responses to the impacts of its aftermath must be unique and creative.
These would form the links between the past and present and the future of Solomon Islands.
They relate to posterity what this country had gone through at the dawn of the 21st Century.
The future of this country now lies in the hands of every Solomon Islander. Young people must appreciate the achievements made by RAMSI in the restoration of Peace, Law and Order in this country.
A new nation must be built in which there is no Malaita, Guadalcanal, no Western, no Choisuel, no Isabel, no Renbel, no Central Islands, no Temotu, and no Makira Ulawa, but there is only one Solomon Islands.
A new Solomon Islands in which Solomon Islanders must rise above and think beyond Island localism which has been a hindrance to national progress since independence.
Six RAMSI personnel and two Solomon Islanders lost their lives during the Mission’s quest for peace in this country.
I humbly feel it is our duty to build a new Solomon Islands worthy of the ultimate sacrifices made by these fine men and women. I salute their immortal souls!
To the youths of Solomon Islands, you will do well to make the future of this country so attractive that the older people will wish they were going to be there.
Thanks RAMSI
And Good Bye!!
Jezreel Irofanua
Honiara
