The Solomon Islands will send eight Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in mid‑March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade announced, marking the island nation’s return to UN policing operations after deployments in 2016–2018. The Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the UN confirmed the selection and said the deployment followed extensive interagency coordination.
The eight officers have already completed pre‑deployment training in Pinkenba, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia, with support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the ministry said. In addition to the Australian‑led course, the officers underwent all mandatory United Nations assessments required for service with the UN Police, clearing them to join the mission when they depart in mid‑March.
Officials described the deployment as a whole‑of‑government effort. The ministry said planning and approvals involved the RSIPF, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations, and the UN Police Division. That coordination covered selection, training, medical and administrative clearances, and compliance with UN standards.
The Permanent Mission welcomed the move as a sign of the Solomon Islands’ renewed engagement in multilateral peacekeeping. In a statement the mission highlighted the country’s “opportunity to participate again in global peacekeeping efforts” and reaffirmed that “Solomon Islands remains steadfast in its support for multilateral cooperation and values its partnership with the United Nations in promoting global peace and security.”
Police personnel on UN missions typically carry out community policing, capacity building, protection of civilians and support to local law and order institutions; national contingents also gain training and operational experience that can bolster domestic policing on return. The AFP’s involvement in pre‑deployment training continues a pattern of regional cooperation in preparing Pacific police officers for peacekeeping tasks.
Solomon Islands’ last contributions to UN police efforts came between 2016 and 2018. Officials did not provide details on the specific policing roles the contingent will perform in South Sudan or the length of their tour, but the deployment underscores the government’s stated commitment to international cooperation and to contributing to efforts to stabilise conflict‑affected countries through multilateral channels.
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