WOMEN & CHILDREN PROTEST

Update 1, Friday, Mar 11.

Today the first group of men and and women were allowed to cross into Buin for market and shopping.

More are expected to cross tomorrow,  Saturday, March 12.

Thank you SI border police and Buin Konnou constituency for mutual understanding and traditional border crossing rights in this time of humanitarian crisis.

Children with placards at the gates of the Solomon Islands patrol boat base at Harapa.

HUNGER DRIVES ISLANDERS TO 

DEMAND REOPENING of PNG SI / BORDER

WE ARE DYING FROM HUNGER, NOT COVID 19

SHORTLANDS ISLANDERS hit hard by the border closure are demanding that Solomon Islands Government reopen the PNG and Solomons border.

Hunger has driven them to demand the border be reopened so they can access food and services in Buin in South Bougainville. 

Three villages of Harapa, Komaleai and Gaomae with about 300 people staged a peaceful protest to the Harapa PRT base to present their petition for the border to be reopen.

Three very brave women, one each from Harapa, Komaleai and Gaomae, led their women and children to stage the peaceful march carrying placards.

A border patrol officer addressing the mothers and children. He told the protestors to direct their grievances to the right people in government as they are only policemen sent to police law and order in Western Province.

The husband of a Harapa woman, who lives in ARoB, said: "No ships have arrived yet in Shortlands with relief food supplies as promised by government due to COVID lockdown.

"Today (Monday) people from the 3 border Villages of Komaleai, Harapa and Gaomae staged a protest match at the Harapa PRT base. 

"They are hungry because of the closure of the border and the Solomon lsland government not assisting with relief supplies. 

"Their demand is for the government to reopen the border (PNG - Solomon Islands Western border).

"The police told them they are not the right people and they should petition the Central Government in Honiara."

Shortlands and South Bougainville share the common sea border at which traditional border crossing is recognised and allowed.

However due to a serious outbreak of Covid-19 in Solomon Islands last month, the government of Manasseh Sogavare has closed all borders. 

Mothers holding up placards.

After a month during which they have no received no food supplies, the people staged the protest march. 

Shortlands is the western most islands in the Solomon Islands and lie closer to South Bougainville. 

It takes less the 25 minutes to cross over to Kangu Beach in South Bougainville. 

The people of the three border villages normally cross to Buin town in South Bougainville for market, sell their produce, barter with locals, trade and shop at the local shops.

In the past some travel as far as Arawa for shopping and marketing.

The Covid lockdown has since severely affected their movements, their livelihood and income.

The sign says it all.