24 Jul 2008

RAMSI marks five years of service to Solomon Islands

9:48 am on 24 July 2008

The Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands will today mark its fifth anniversary with sports and community activities in all provinces.

The mission arrived in July 2003 to restore law and order following years of violence on the island of Guadalcanal.

Its deputy special coordinator, Jonathan Austin, says it will mark this year's birthday celebrations in a special way.

"Around about 85 percent of Solomon Islanders live outside Honiara. RAMSI has thirteen police posts across the country. So we've decided that rather than have a big celebration in Honiara we would try and have a celebration right across the country with everything from sausage and sack races to soccer competitions and traditional feasts."

Jonathan Austin says a small celebration will also take place in Honiara at a later stage.