HONIARA, Solomon Islands (24 Nov 2000) -- Shots have been fired and the office of Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) leader, Andrew Nori, has been burned down in the capital city of Honiara, Guadalcanal. According to reports from local officials, the violence was not between rival militias. The fire was set by MEF members who are dissatisfied with the amount of payments they received to disarm and disband. The IFM and MEF militias signed a peace deal in mid-October to end a two-year conflict that has claimed over 70 lives. The agreement specifies that outside monitors from Australia and New Zealand will be brought in to ensure an end to fighting. The conflict over land and access to jobs has been simmering for decades between Guadalcanal natives and immigrants from nearby Malaita Island. | |
Violence that erupted in June has toppled the government, shut down dive operations and hotels, and forced foreign companies to pull out of the Solomon Islands. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
