Solomon Islands Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association (SIPRRA) Guadalcanal has apologised to the national government, all provincial governments, Honiara City Council, all churches, diplomatic missions, RAMSI and all citizens of this country, Wednesday.
Furthermore, it also seek forgiveness from former ex-combatants of Malaita, women and children for what they have done during the ethnic conflict from 1998-2003.
Despite the light drizzle and muddy surface at the Rove playing field in West Honiara, members of SIPRRA Guadalcanal came out in full force to reconcile with Malaita, the national government, all nine provincial governments, women, youths, Melanesian Brotherhood and Bougainville.
Malaita also reconciled with national government, Royal Solomon Islands Police and presented its adoa (traditional gifts) to Guadalcanal.
Guadalcanal presented Rasi (big chupu) to Malaita and chupu and traditional shell money to other parties.
Speaking at the national healing and apology programme at Rove, chairman, Joseph Sangu said they wanted to take this time to apologise (sore tumas).
Mr Sangu said it is the request of SIPCRRA that this apology be received in the same spirit that is offered as part of the healing for this great nation Solomon Islands.
“It is hope that former Guadalcanal ex-combatants who took part in the reconciliation will resolve to a new page in the history of our nation.
“That today we take this first step to acknowledge the past, to reconcile with one another and to lay claim of our future that embraces all Solomon Islanders,” Sangu said.
He said a future that they must stand together and resolve that injustice in past must never be allowed to happen again.
“A future that we furnish the determination of all Solomon Islanders to close the gaps that lies between us in life expectation and economic activities.
“A future that we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems that all approaches are failed,” he said.
Moreover, Sangu said a future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
“A future that all Solomon Islanders, whatever their origins, are true equal partners, with equal opportunities and with equal in shaping the next chapter in the history of the happy isles, Solomon Islands,” he added.
Mr Sangu also recommended to the government to deal with Guadalcanal outstanding bonafide demands.
SIPCRRA Malaita secretary, Timothy Omani said this is the day that they have been waiting for to happen.
Mr Omani said successive governments have overlooked this and wanted to thank Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for initiating this programme.
He also used that opportunity to lash out to critics who criticised this programme.
“People who complain about peace need to put the money where their mouth is,” he added.
The three days event ended with an ecumenical prayer organised by Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) at Lawson Tama last night.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
