LASTING PEACE DETERMINES DEVELOPMENT: PM SOGAVARE
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare speaking at the 38th Independence Anniversary. Photo credit: SIBC.
The nation of Solomon Islands cannot boast about successfully implementing its development plans without achieving lasting peace, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Prime Minister Sogavare made this statement in his national address today at the 38th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Honiara.
Speaking on this year’s Independence Anniversary theme “Embracing Peace for Nation Building”, Prime Minister Sogavare says lasting peace has to start with all Solomon Islanders.
“The message that comes out forcefully during this week is we cannot talk about positive hope and successful implementation of development plans without achieving lasting peace. That peace had to start with all of us and it must be a deliberate choice by all of us to achieve it. This is the action word “embracing” the theme is trying to put across.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says this is no time to make excuses but take part in peace-building to advance the country.
“If you find it difficult to take part in peace activities you are a stumbling block to peace because it must start with you. This is no time to make excuses, it is attitude like this that keeps holding back this country from progressing and allow this country to slip into anarchy. It must be a deliberate choice on our path to allow peace once again to reign in this country by the grace of God because we are talking about the nature and very character of God.”