ソロモン諸島における民族紛争解決過程 : 調停活動とその意味

Solomon Islands had enjoyed relative political tranquility since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. However, the situation deteriorated in late 1998 with the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Guadalcanal people and settlers from Malaita, the latter dominating the public service and business sectors in the capitol town, Honiara. A large number of Malaitans were forced to return to their home island after attacks by Guadalcanal militants. After several attempts to restore the peace failed, the Solomon Island government asked the Commonwealth for help. The Commonwealth responded to the request by dispatching aspecial envoy, Sitiveni Rabuka, former prime minister of Fiji, and his deputy. The team negotiated with the Isatabu Freedom Movement, a Guadalcanal militant group, and succeeded in getting Honiara Peace Accord signed in June 1999. To enforce the accord, the Panatina Agreement was signed and a Multinational Police Assistance Group, comprising police from Fiji and Vanuatu, arrived in Honiara in October 1999 under the agreement. This, however, could not stop the conflict. On the contrry, the conflict escalated with the emergence of the Malaita Eagle Force, a Malaitan militant group, in early 2000. The climax came in June 2000 when the Malaita Eagle Force took Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu hostage and took control of key installations in Honiara. They demanded compensation for the affected Malaitans and the resignation of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Ulufa'alu resigned and Mannaseh Sogavare was elected as the new prime minister. Taking over the role of major mediator from the Commonwealth, Australia and New Zealand played a central role in mediating between the two militant groups. Due to their efforts, a ceasefire was attained in August and the Townsville Peace Agreement was signed in October. This bought an end to nearly two years of ethnic conflict in Solomon Islands. It seems that the ethnic conflict in Solomon Islands was brought to an end because Australia and New Ze