More than 30 people in 2003 and
hundreds of people since 1998 have been killed in the Solomon Islands.
Thousands have been intimidated and displaced from their homes. The violence
and intimidation stem from long-term tensions between the Istabu, the
indigenous population of Guadalcanal, and the Malaitans from the neighboring
island of Malaita. Although both groups are ethnic Melanesians, the Istabu
resent the migrant Malaitans for taking jobs and land. In
1998, fighting broke out between these two groups after the Istabu Freedom
Movement began forcing Malaitans out of Guadalcanal. As a result, some 30,000
people had to abandon their homes. In June 2000, a rival militia group,
the Malaitan Eagle Force, staged a coup and forced the prime minister to
resign, accusing him of failing to address the crisis. Although an
Australian-brokered peace deal was signed in October 2000, tension and violence
continue today, particularly in the Weathercoast region of Guadalcanal, where
warlord Harold Keke and his supporters reside. Keke is said to be
responsible for a four-year reign of terror around his base and for hundreds of
Weathercoast villagers fleeing to refugee camps in Honiara. On July 24,
2003, an Australian-led intervention force arrived on the islands to restore
peace. Since the arrival of this force, Keke has freed three of the nine
Church of Melanesia brothers he held hostage. It is feared that Keke may be
holding six remaining hostages as a shield against any attack by the foreign
force. Leaders of the Malaita island militia, which still controls parts
of the capital Honiara since its coup in 2000, say they want to surrender their
weapons and discuss a 30-day amnesty with the head of the peacekeeping force.
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