Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has apologised to the people of Solomon Islands on behalf of the people of Malaita province for what happened during the ethnic tensions.
Speaking in Parliament on the Truth and Reconciliation Report (TRC) debate, Wale made the apology as a prominent Malaita leader and Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga.
“As an MP for Malaita I would like to say I am sorry for all that was perpetrated in the name of Malaita to those who suffered as victims in families, individuals, husbands, wives, men, women and children. We must rebuke the violence that has marked one of the darkest days in our history,” he said.
Wale said people of Langalanga were also victims accused of being seagulls during the tensions and terrorised by their own malaitan folks.
“I forgive my brothers and I also ask for your forgiveness and that we move forward in peace and harmony,” he said.
The Opposition Leader told Parliament that in the spirit of reconciliation, national unity, and above all, humility, it is incumbent upon leaders to engage in a deep and honest self-reflection.
Wale said leaders must critically assess their roles and how they have served the country.
He said it is crucial to consider the challenging possibility that leaders, themselves, may be part of the problem.
Wale said for national leaders, this introspective journey is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a vital step in our nation’s healing process.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report underscores this point by calling upon us to offer an apology as national leaders to those who have endured suffering during the conflict,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said an apology isn’t merely an admission of past mistakes but an acknowledgment of responsibility, a testament of empathy, and a pledge to strive for better.
Wale said as leaders they must address the most significant and yet often unspoken challenge and that is our nation is grappling with a leadership crisis that has not only defined our past but also continues to shape our present.
“While it is true that multiple underlying causes contributed to the tensions we’ve experienced, the power to resolve these socio-economic and political tensions lies squarely in our hands, the national leaders,” he said.
Wale said if these issues persist under our watch, it becomes evident that the real problem is not just the lingering underlying causes, but rather us, as leaders, and our inability or unwillingness to address these problems.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency in Malaita Province also expressed ‘deep’ regret on behalf of his constituents for the problems they caused the nation during the ethnic tension some twenty years ago.
MP Augustine Auga openly apologised this week in Parliament when contributing to the debate on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report.
He said more than 5,000 people were affected and 200 lives were lost during the crisis.
“For that, I want to say sorry, especially to the families and relatives of the 200 fellow Solomon Islanders who have lost their lives during the ethnic.
“If anyone from Lau-Mbaelelea caused any problem at that time, I on behalf of the constituency would like to say sorry.”
He said true reconciliation comes from the heart and it is only when this occurs that true peace will eventuate.
And to the 5,000 people who have experienced human rights violation during the ethnic tension, MP Auga added:
“I would like to say sorry to those who were deeply affected by the ethnic tension.
“I’m very sorry indeed Solomon Islands.
“Please forgive my people if they did something wrong to you at that time.”
MP Augu said the tension caused so much hardship to people in the country and should never be repeated.
“Let us not allow another ethnic tension to happen.”
MP Auga who is also the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) said he was a victim of the ethnic tension having been chased out of Guadalcanal back to Malaita.
SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR/PACNEWS
