The Minister for Police, National Security, and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada told Parliament of the government’s intention to establish a Defence Force.
Responding to questions asked by the Member of Parliament for East Malaita and Leader of Independent Group, Manasseh Maelanga, that read; “is the government intending to establish a military force? If so what would be the rationale of having a military force? How will it complement or differ from the existing police force?
Tanangada said this is a long term plan of the government and the government is keen to achieve it.
“The government has initiated preliminary policy to explore the establishment of a Solomon Islands Defence Force. This initiative is being approached cautiously, strategically and transparently as part of the broader implementation of the national security strategy that we have launched earlier.”
“Let me emphasize that this is not an attempt to militarize our nation, but rather a long-term nation building effort aimed at enhancing Solomon Islands resilience, sovereignty and self-reliance. The intent is to develop a defence capability that allows our country to better respond to disasters, security challenges, maritime threats and areas that strengthen the capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.” Tanangada said.
He said this plan is grounded in the national aspiration for self-reliance and sovereignty.
“The principle to the security of Solomon Islands is that it must be owned, led, and sustained by Solomon Islanders. It’s a very tough aspiration but it is not impossible to achieve.”
He said the country”s experience of the ethnic tension, Bougainville Crisis and social unrests fairly explains the limitation of the existing force – RSIPF to respond to such emergencies.
He stated that “the RSIPF will continue to be our first line of defence -the principle institution responsible for law enforcement, maintaining internal security and public order. The proposed defence force will complement, not replace the RSIPF. Its focus will be on non-policing roles, including national and maritime security, humanitarian and disaster response, national emergency support.”
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Aoke-Langalanga and Opposition Leader Mathew Wale, and the MP for East Choiseul, Manasseh Sogavare criticized the plan stating that Solomon Islands should learn from the experiences of other Melanesian countries such as Fiji and PNG who have their own defence forces.
Wale said, “We must be careful not to rush because Fiji also had military coups and PNG also have their own issues that are directly linked to their military. So it’s better that we plan it first. Take for example if the government somehow delays payment of soldiers’ allowances, they will come to the Parliament with guns.” Wale said.
Sogvare said if Solomon Islands is to have a defence force, then the government must have full control over it.
He suggested that it would be better if the Melanesian sub-region establishes a defence force that combines the five Melanesian member states/territory to look after the Melanesian bloc’s interests.
