Summary: On June 30 2017, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands came to an end, marking the conclusion of the longest Australian-led intervention mission in our history. RAMSI was a response to a tumultuous period in Solomon Islands history known locally as ‘The Tensions’. Since 2003, thousands of police, military and civilian personnel from 15 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum have taken part in RAMSI to help restore law and order and strengthen Solomon Islands institutions. How successful has this intervention been and how has it left Solomon Islands? What challenges does Solomon Islands continue to face and what plans does the current government have to address those challenges? On 14 July the Lowy Institute hosted a conversation with Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and former RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley about the lessons learnt from RAMSI, and what’s next for one of Australia’s closest neighbours, Solomon Islands.
