Country sitting on a time-bomb with more guns, ammunition still at large
SOLOMON Islands is sitting on a time-bomb with a large number of high powered guns and ammunition still out there in the hands of certain members of the public.
The story of an armed group calling on the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down should not be taken lightly to keep the guns silent for the good of all, sources told Solomon Star Auki.
According to the sources, the number of guns in the hands of the public is even bigger compared to that in the position of police right now.
Sources said the Prime Minister should resign now to avoid the repeat of what has happened two decades ago, they said.
“The PM knows very well how the coup in 2000 unfolded.”
“We are in for a repeat of history and this time it is to take back this country from the few self-serving leaders that are running the country since the year 2000,” the source said.
Sources said when RAMSI left the country, many guns are still not returned nor destroyed.
They believe it is lucky that those in position of those guns decided not to use those guns for bad intentions, over the past 20 years.
However, sources revealed that many of those who hold on to the guns have recently come together for a common goal, and the common goal is to force the current PM to resign from the PM’s post.
The source said they want the PM to listen to the demands of the people asking him to step down to avoid chaos.
Asked why they want the PM to be removed, they said his leadership style is not for the good for the country, but for his own and MPs who supported him to stay in power.
Sources said with the huge number of guns out there, we are like a country sitting on an active volcano, which could erupt any time from now.
Asked if the public should worry about this, they said they are with the public as they are just ordinary members of the public.
“It is just that we are not happy with the current government,” the group said.
Meanwhile speaking to members of the local media this week, Deputy Commissioner National Security and Operation Support Ian Vaevaso says the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is capable of handling the threat posed by the alleged armed group.
He said police are now looking to all the issues that happened during the recent days and weeks.
“We have appreciated the media to bring forward that news, and we have been able to look on that. As I speak, police are now looking to that, and that is one of the main issues we are looking at this time.
“I just want to assure the public that police are looking to these issues seriously, and police have the capability and the capacity to deal with any issues that might arise out of all these issues.
“And so, we called on public and businesses to continue with their normal business as police are looking to all these issues and will deal with them according to the law.
He wants to assure the public and businesses to help providing police with information so that they can able to eliminate such threat, he said.
“All of us have responsibility for our country and not only the police, the responsibility is for all of us.
“If we want a country that is free, safe, and where our children and all of us to enjoy we have to provide police with information needed.”
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s office has acknowledged the threat is real, but added the group’s demanded to force him to resign is not the right way to go about changing the government.
By WILSON SAENI
Auki News Bureau
