Honiara : 29 May 2017
Letter to the Editors, Solomon Star and Island Sun Newspapers.
The news, today, that five members of the RSIPF deployed as part of the United Nations & African Hybrid Mission (UNAMID) as Peacekeepers have recently been awarded the UN Peacekeepers Medal reflects great credit on the individual policemen but also reflects more widely on the Solomon Islands contribution to the UN Mission.
The protection of civilians is at the centre of the mission’s mandate, with the mission called upon to contribute to the protection of civilian populations under imminent threat of physical violence and prevent attacks against civilians, within its capability and areas of deployment.
The mission is also tasked with contributing to security for humanitarian assistance, monitoring and verifying implementation of agreements, assisting an inclusive political process, contributing to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law.
The role played by the RSIPF members in enforcing the UN’s mandate in a troubled and hostile region of Africa cannot have been easy and the award of the UN Peacekeepers Medal testament to the professionalism, devotion to duty and integrity of the seconded police officers.
I would associate myself with the Commissioner of Police in congratulating his police officers on a duty well done.
