THE Government is yet to set a timeline for the establishment of a military force in the country.
Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada, confirmed this in Parliamenton Wednesday in response to a question from the Leader of the Independent Group, Manasseh Maelanga.
Minister Tanangada said while there is no fixed timeframe, the matter is considered urgent given the security challenges the country is facing.
These challenges include both conventional and non-conventional security issues.
Conventional security refers to traditional, state-centric measures such as armed forces, border control, physical defenses, and financial security arrangements.
Non-conventional security threats, on the other hand, include a broad range of risks beyond military conflict — such as climate change, pandemics, economic instability, cyberattacks, terrorism, and social issues like migration and resource scarcity.
The Solomon Islands has experienced several internal disturbances over the years, including the ethnic tensions of 2000, various island conflicts, and urban riots.
Minister Tanangada said the Government is currently developing a policy that will later lead to a concept paper on the establishment of a national defense force.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told Parliament that once the concept paper is completed, the Government will introduce a legislative framework in Parliament for consideration.
He said the Government’s approach to national security prioritises the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) as the first responder in any emergency situation.
“If the internal capability cannot handle it, then the Government will look to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for assistance,” he said.
“We have a security arrangement with Papua New Guinea and have just signed one with Fiji on the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum,” Prime Minister Manele added.
He said such security arrangements will only be activated upon Solomon Islands’ formal request for assistance.
In the Pacific region, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga have established military forces, while Vanuatu maintains a paramilitary unit.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
