Detailed Timeline – 2006
2006
The Townsville Peace Agreement stipulated that all weapons should be handed over to the International Peace Monitoring Team within thirty days of signing. By 2003, a total of 2,948 weapons and 303,000 rounds of ammunition had been surrendered.[1] As of 2004, an unknown amount of weapons remained in circulation.
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 2000-2003. In 2004, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands launched a draft of a new constitution proposal.[2] During 2005, the draft constitution circulated among stakeholders, such as citizens and provincial leaders.[3][4] However, no proposal to replace the current constitution was submitted to parliament by the end of 2006.
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. No additional repatriation was noted in 2006.
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). In 2006, no additional reintegration programs or services were documented.
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 2006.
The Townsville Peace Agreement called for negotiations to allocate appropriate development assistance to the affected areas within 12 months of signing. In 2006, the Post-Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project continued. In addition, the Asian Development Bank signed a grant agreement for the separate Road Improvement (Sector) Project in 2006. The objectives included road rehabilitation projects in Malaita, Temotu, Guadalcanal, Honiara, and Makira and institutional capacity building to ensure the long-term maintenance of Solomon Islands infrastructure.[5]
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.
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 2006.
[1] “Solomons amnesty yields almost 3,000 weapons,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, August 22, 2003.
[2] “Solomon Islands launches draft federal constitution,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, November 5, 2004.
[3] “Residents of Solomon Islands’ North Malaita hear federal constitution plans,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, March 11, 2005.
[4] “Solomon Islands western leaders defer federal constitution deliberations,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, February 25, 2005.
[5] Solomon Islands: Road Improvement (Sector) Project, Asian Development Bank, April 2014.