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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General Welcomes Ceasefire in Solomon Islands

1 August 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today welcomed reports that a ceasefire has been agreed between the conflicting groups in Solomon Islands. He said: 

I very much welcome the reported ceasefire in Solomon Islands between the two conflicting groups, the Malaita Eagle Force and the Isatabu Freedom Movement. This is an essential prelude to the recommencement of the peace process in Solomon Islands. I look forward to the proposed peace negotiations and offer the services of the Commonwealth to assist with the process in any way possible.

The Commonwealth actively assisted the peace process in Solomon Islands up until June this year when Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu was deposed from office, and law and order suffered a serious breakdown.  The escalation of conflict between the two contending ethnic militias in Solomon Islands has caused serious problems for the governance of the country and for its economy.  It is essential that peace be restored, that the militias be disbanded and that normality return to Solomon Islands.  The Commonwealth is most concerned over the situation, which will be discussed at the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration scheduled to be held next month.

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