New Zealand soldiers are withdrawing from the Solomon Islands after nearly a decade of peacekeeping in the once unsettled and lawless country. <\/p>\n
In 2003, after nearly three years of general lawlessness within the country, the local government asked New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island nations for help and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was formed. <\/p>\n
On Friday afternoon the 16th - and what will likely be the last - New Zealand RAMSI platoon, which consists of about 40 mainly Christchurch-based soldiers, will return home from the capital, Honiara. <\/p>\n
Surrounded by palm trees at the RAMSI base on the outskirts of the city, the New Zealand soldiers performed a rousing haka to crowds during a farewell ceremony on Thursday. Much has changed in the Solomon Islands since RAMSI was established. <\/p>\n
Soon after arriving in the country RAMSI personnel, as well as the Royal Solomon Island Police (RSIPF), seized thousands of illegal weapons and a number of militants were detained. Initially law and order was restored, but tensions rose again after the general election in 2006. <\/p>\n
People took to the streets in Honiara, smashing shops and setting fire to Chinatown amidst allegations of corruption and claims the election was fixed with money from the Chinese. Christchurch-based Sergeant Major John Spence arrived in Honiara when the city was still burning. <\/p>\n
His role, along with other RAMSI soldiers, was to patrol an area of the city to enforce a city-wide curfew. <\/p>\n
\"Tensions were very high. Lawlessness, insecurity - these are words that come to mind,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Six years on the Solomon Islands is a peaceful and safe place, he says. RAMSI has three core aims - to assist with economic development, offer military assistance and restore Solomon Islanders' confidence in the local police force. <\/p>\n
The military component of RAMSI is set to wind down in July next year with platoons from Australia and Papua New Guinea remaining at the Honiara army base until then. <\/p>\n
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NZ soldiers withdraw from Solomons<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Zealand soldiers are withdrawing from the Solomon Islands after nearly a decade of peacekeeping in the once unsettled and lawless country. Continue reading