Solomon Islands today celebrates 42 years of Independence.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare delivered his speech via social media platforms because of COVID-19 restrictions currently being imposed in the emergency zone.
“It has been a short but challenging journey,” says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
He says that today’s generation must not forget the challenges we went through as a country, particularly the tensions that brought the country to its knees.
He calls on national and provincial leaders to be conscious of the causes behind the civil unrest.
Prime Minister Sogavare says that he is beginning to see complacency and carelessness and calls on citizens to reflect on their own personal responses to issues – whether it brings peace and unity or strife and disunity.
“There is a reason why we study history, it is so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. It pains me so much to see that despite our best efforts we have not moved ahead,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
“If we do not decentralize, we will experience problems much worse than what happened in 1998…never again should we allow the future of this country and our children be held at ransom by a few individuals.”
Prime Minister Sogavare says that despite such challenges he is confident that arrangements post RAMSI with Australia guarantees our own internal security and safety going forward.
“Come what may we will persevere, we have no choice.”
He says that for the country to succeed, people of this country must be front and centre of any development – be it economic, political or social.