A FORMER commanded of the disbanded Guadalcanal Revolution Army (GRA) has slammed rumours circulating in town that Guadalcanal people are starting another war.
Andrew Te’e came out public to dispel the rumours after fears expressed, especially by Malaitans living on the outskirts of Honiara.
“Let me say this: the rumours are simply untrue,” Mr Te’e told the Solomon Star.
“Starting another war is the last thing the people of Guadalcanal would want to do at this time,” he added.
“We have moved on from the period of the last tension and like all of us Solomon Islanders, wanted a better future for our children.
“So we don’t know where these rumours are coming from.”
Mr Te’e also hit out at photos being shared on social media of Guadalcanal men holding high-powered weapons.
“The truth about the photos is they were old photos taken in 2001 when we teamed up with the then Joint Operation to hunt down Harold Keke, who is refusing to make peace at that time.
“So I ask members of the public not to take those photos seriously because they were photos taken during the tension period.
“I want to call on all good citizens of the country not to believe these rumors or the photos.
“We are working with the police to identify those spreading the rumours.”
Guadalcanal premier Anthony Veke also condemned the rumours.
“Let me urge the people of Honiara not to believe on those rumours simply because there’s not going to be another war.
“We don’t want war, we want peace as we have learned a lot from the past tension that has brought out country down on its knees,” Mr Veke said.
Member if Parliament for East Guadalcanal Constituency, Bradley Tovosia also expressed his disappointment at the rumours.
“We are very disappointed over this rumours,” Mr Tovosia said.
“If anybody is using these rumours for their own interest, I am calling on you to stop because you are causing fear amongst the people of this country,” he added.
“We don’t want war but nt peace and development to taking place to improving the lives of the people here.”
“We have suffered enough, we need to forget the past and look to the future.”
Mr Tovosia urged the police to investigate the rumours and prosecute those who initiated them.
By LESLEY SANGA
