LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has apologised to the people of Solomon Islands on behalf of the people of Malaita province for what happened during the ethnic tensions.
Speaking in Parliament today on the TRC Report Debate, Hon Wale made the apology as a prominent Malaita leader and Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga.
“As an MP for Malaita I would like to say I am sorry for all that was perpetrated in the name of Malaita to those who suffered as victims in families, individuals, husbands, wives, men, women and children. We must rebuke the violence that has marked one of the darkest days in our history,” he said.
Hon Wale said people of Langalanga were also victims accused of being seagulls during the tensions and terrorised by their own malaitan folks.
“I forgive my brothers and I also ask for your forgiveness and that we move forward in peace and harmony,” he said.
The Opposition Leader told Parliament that in the spirit of reconciliation, national unity, and above all, humility, it is incumbent upon leaders to engage in a deep and honest self-reflection.
Hon Wale said leaders must critically assess their roles and how they have served the country.
He said it is crucial to consider the challenging possibility that leaders, themselves, may be part of the problem.
Hon Wale said for national leaders, this introspective journey is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a vital step in our nation’s healing process.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report underscores this point by calling upon us to offer an apology as national leaders to those who have endured suffering during the conflict,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said an apology isn’t merely an admission of past mistakes but an acknowledgment of responsibility, a testament of empathy, and a pledge to strive for better.
Hon Wale said as leaders they must address the most significant and yet often unspoken challenge and that is our nation is grappling with a leadership crisis that has not only defined our past but also continues to shape our present.
“While it is true that multiple underlying causes contributed to the tensions we’ve experienced, the power to resolve these socio-economic and political tensions lies squarely in our hands, the national leaders,” he said.
Hon Wale said if these issues persist under our watch, it becomes evident that the real problem is not just the lingering underlying causes, but rather us, as leaders, and our inability or unwillingness to address these problems.
– Opposition Press
