Solomon Island Ethnic Conflict (1999 - 2004)

The ethnic conflict in the Solomon Islands has roots in the migration of Malaitan Islanders to Guadalcanal during the Second World War. Many Malaitans stayed in the area and settled in what would become the capital Honiara. Over-population and worse soil conditions on Malaita encouraged migration further and heightening tensions between Malaitans and the local Gwale population. The Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) began a terror campaign against rural Malaitans and set up checkpoints around Honiara, forcing Malaitans to flee. Meanwhile, the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) was set up to defend Malaitan interests. Police fractured on ethnic grounds, and the government did little to resolve the political tension. Much of the arms were leftover armaments from the Second World War.

The Honiara Peace Accord was agreed to in June 1999, but broke-down in the face of resistance and a fear of prosecution by militants. In July 2003 the Governor of the Solomon Islands, asked for an international force (RAMSI) to intervene and by August 2003, the MEF adhered to a ceasefire. Since then, the international force has acted as an interim police force, maintaining law and order. A string of arrests of former-militants, led to the assassination of an Australian peace-keeper. 2003 marked the disbandment of the militias, but tensions continue with the presence of RAMSI officers, as well as other ethnic communities such as the racial riots against Chinese residents in Honiara in 2006. In 2009, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up and in 2013, RAMSI withdrew from Guadalcanal.