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OWNERSHIP IN PRACTICE: MECHANISMS FOR PARTNERSHIP AND CONSULTATIONS IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Paul J Tovua OBE CSI

AUSTRALIAN ASIA PACIFIC CIVIL-MILITARY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

CIVIL-MILITARY INTERACTION SEMINAR 2011 (CMIS 2011)WATERSEDGE, PIER ONE, SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA

7 – 10 NOVEMBER, 2011

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Solomon Islands

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Crisis situations

• Unsustainable Development• Natural Disasters• Imposed structural adjustments• Civil War • Casinos and licensed gambling• Breakdown of government systems• Technical bankruptcy • Civil unrest and lawlessness

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What must be done?

(a) Violence prevention and mitigation

(b) Strengthened government machinery

(c) Regional cooperation

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The RAMSI Model- Lessons Learnt1. Model predicated on there being a corrupt and inept government

2. Model assumes that structures of government can be repaired by re-writing documents and training or retraining staff

3. Model expects intervention to operate outside government system - “parallel government”

4. Model perceived as creating “dual economy”

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The Military Nexus

• Re-armament of Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) • Legislative amendment to prosecute “big fish”• Trust and confidence on the RSIPF

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Future prospects

• RAMSI structure should be merged into structures, processes and procedures of the Solomon Islands Government

• RAMSI – a model for regional cooperation and militarisation

• Enhanced regional security through closer integration in policing, interaction, sports and recreation

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Ladies and Gentlemen… thank you very much for your time!!