Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) guerrillas patrol the Guadalcanal plains outside Honiara. The man ...

Accession Number P04580.016
Collection type Photograph
Object type Negative
Maker Bohane, Ben
Place made Pacific Islands: Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal
Date made 2000
Conflict Period 2000-2009
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) guerrillas patrol the Guadalcanal plains outside Honiara. The man in the lead carries a 'tilla' stick which is believed to deflect bullets and protect the group. Ethnic tension escalated in Solomon Islands in the late 1990s. The Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) claimed indigenous rights to land on Guadalcanal. They resented what they perceived as increasing Malaitan dominance of the Solomon Islands government and of the island of Guadalcanal. On 5 June 2000 the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) seized control of key installations in Honiara and took Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu hostage, demanding his resignation. During the political unrest in Solomon Islands, a Commonwealth delegation led by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff, visited Honiara on 10-11 June 2000, to assist with peace negotiations between the Solomon Islands government and militant groups.

Related information

Conflicts