Detailed Timeline – 2002
2002
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated that all weapons should be handed over to the International Peace Monitoring Team (IPNT) within thirty days of signing. In March 2002, the government extended the final deadline for weapons handover to May 31, 2002.[1] The announcement of the deadline followed a significant influx in surrendered arms. [2] By the deadline, the International Peace Monitoring Team (IPMT) had collected approximately 1,700 weapons.[3] However, an estimated 460 high-powered weapons remained in circulation by the end of 2002.[4]
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 significant progress was made in 2000 or 2001. On November 2, 2002, the Solomon Islands Government signed the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded project Support to Constitutional Reform Programme. However, no Constitutional Council was established in 2002 and no changes to the Constitution were initiated in 2002.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for all Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) soldiers to be repatriated to their home villages within 30 days of signing. In 2001, the Peace Monitoring Council Reported that some militants had returned home.[5] No additional repatriation was documented in 2002.
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. [6] In September 2002, the UNDP initiated reintegration workshops for ex-combatants that had initially been recruited into the Special Constabulary Force. [7]
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 2002.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for negotiations to allocate appropriate development assistance to the affected areas within 12 months of signing. The Asian Development Bank Post-Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project, which had been scheduled to begin in 2001, was initiated briefly in 2002. Consultants began preparing reports to begin construction in January 2002 and published an inception report in May 2002. However, the Asian Development Bank suspended operations in the Solomon Islands and consultants withdrew in 2002.[8]
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated the constitution of the Peace Monitoring Council (PMC) within 14 days of signing. The PMC was convened within the allocated timeline.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for a formal review of the agreement no more than 24 months after signing. This deadline was not met, and no review was completed in 2002.
[1] “Deadline for Solomon Islands gun handover again extended,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, March 21, 2001.
[2] “ Over 1,300 weapons collected under Solomon Islands amnesty,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, May 12, 2002.
[3] “Solomons gun amnesty ‘exceeded expectations,’” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 3, 2002.
[4] “Hundreds of high-powered guns ‘still at large’ in Solomons,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 11, 2002.
[5] “Solomon Islands: Monitoring group details disarmament problems,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, August 7, 2001.
[6] “Solomon Islands: Fears money not there to pay militants recruited as constables,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 4, 2001.
[7] “UN conducting last workshops for Solomons special constables,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, March 2, 2004.
[8] Solomon Islands: Post-Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project, Asian Development Bank, September 2009.