Detailed Timeline – 2000
2000
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated that all weapons should be handed over to the International Peace Monitoring Team within thirty days of signing. The initial deadline for surrender was November 16, but this deadline was not met. The arms surrendering ceremony was rescheduled for December 15.[1] In 2000, more than 100 guns held by the MEF were shipped to the International Peace Monitoring Team with 100 additional guns following.[2] However, on December 18, peace monitors reported that hundreds of arms remained in circulation.[3]
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for the creation of a Constitutional Council within 28 days of signing, tasked with rewriting the Constitution to provide more autonomy to provinces. No Constitutional Council was established in 2000, and no changes to the Constitution were initiated in 2000.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for all MEF and IFM soldiers to be repatriated to their home villages within 30 days of signing. No repatriation was reported in 2000.
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated the repatriation of MEF and IFM soldiers and the initiation of public works programs to provide counseling and employment services for ex-combatants and their families (within 3 months of repatriation). By the end of 2000, approximately 1000 ex-combatants had been recruited into the police force. [4] No other programs or services were launched in 2000.
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated the establishment (within 60 days of signing) of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to facilitate reconciliation and forgiveness. This body was not formed in 2000.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for negotiations to allocate appropriate development assistance to the affected areas within 12 months of signing. No progress was made in 2000.
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated the constitution of the Peace Monitoring Council within 14 days of signing. The PMC was convened within the allocated timeline.
[1] “Minister says time period for arms handover extended,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, November 18, 2000.
[2] “Deadline reached for weapons handover,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 16, 2000.
[3] “Many guns still not accounted for,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 19, 2000.
[4] “Solomon Islands: Fears money not there to pay militants recruited as constables,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 4, 2001.