Elephant in the room!

We've come to the end not only of another year--2009--but also the finish of the twenty-first century's first decade. It's a good time, then, to review how we as a nation lived the current year which is fast fading into the history books but more importantly, to take a long hard look back over our last ten years as well. What were some of the things we did or did not do that have left serious marks on the country which will either  bless or haunt us in the future, our own lives and that of our kids?

 

Fortunately, 2009 was a peace-packed year for Solomons people! This statement, so easy to write, but in reality dozens and dozens of countries worldwide would gladly trade their back teeth to make such a boast. While we basked in peacefulness, the world's mightiest nations--America, UK, European Union--were up to their ears fighting two major wars--Iraq and Afghanistan. Being a small nation, however, didn't automatically translate into peace. Many a tiny nation--Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Chad, etc. etc.--found themselves in the middle of fighting smaller but no less vicious conflicts. But for us, a tiny, far away nation in the middle of the Pacific chalked up another full year of peace, quiet and order. Truly a blessing! 

 

Yet it wasn't always so! Just turn your attention to the beginning of this fast fading decade. Our nation entered the 2000-2009 period with a  small but no less vicious conflict raging right within our midst. Our 1998-2003 Social Unrest years took us by surprise. Over the previous twenty year period of peace, we had come to believe that peace, order and tranquility were ours by some kind of divine right. The killings, rapes, burnings, beatings, etc. that grabbed out attention at the beginning of this decade were surely happening some place else not in our own land and among our own people.

 

Our political leaders, fortunately, made a momentous decision in 2003! The civil unrest which was rooting in the Weather Coast, Honiara and a few other places was growing beyond government's power to contain. Our police force was ineffectual and the country was beginning to slide out of control. To his credit, the Prime Minister at the time, Sir Allen Kemakeza, called upon the Pacific community to come to our aid. 

 

Solomon Islands had publicly begged for assistance from the UN, Australia and others earlier in the decade but on its first request it received only negative replies. Only when the world scene had changed dramatically--the US and its allies had invaded Iraq in March 2003--did Australia feel it safe enough to come to our aid. Of course, RAMSI's presence was different than what had happened in Iraq. We as a nation had formally invited this military-civilian force in to assist us.

 

But the 2003 Australian, New Zealand and other Pacific nations intervention force remains with us even now after 7 years of presence. It has become the elephant in the room! No matter how silently and quietly the elephant acts it remains a serious presence in the nation's affairs of state. In some ways it has become a second government, welcomed by many citizens because it has been a major factor in the continuance of peace and order. In some quarters, especially in the rural areas, villagers would like to see a more.not less active RAMSI presence doing those things that the central government seems to have forgotten about: grassroots development, medical work, road building and repair, etc. etc.

 

Next year's national election will present a newly elected Parliament a serious issue. In the middle of its four year term, 2013 in fact, RAMSI will have been present for 10 consecutive years, more than a quarter of the years of our whole national existence. At the beginning of its 2003 intervention, however, no one across the nation seriously thought that RAMSI would still be here more than 7 years after stepping off the planes at Henderson in July 2003.    

 

Make no mistake about it. RAMSI has been a great if expensive gift to Solomons people! It stabilized a weak and ineffective State and was quite needed to bring about national peace and order. And for this great generosity we must be eternally grateful. However, when all is said and done, RAMSI forever remains a foreign body. It has different sets of agendas and understandings of what makes for a strong, vibrant and home grown nation. Its priorities are different from ours. The recent Moti case is a vivid reminder that what RAMSI saw important for its goals and objectives proved unacceptable to Australian's own judicial system much less to ours.

 

The second decade of the 21st century will surely bring its own set of surprises, challenges and trials. We have grown strong enough a nation to weather these difficulties. Our strengths--a rural population able and willing to feed a nation and a youth component filled with enthusiasm--make the nation hum with the good life for all of us. Let us thank RAMSI for its great work but also make it clear that we the people of the nation have to do the work necessary to make our country a better place for all. There is no need for the elephant to be in the room any longer.