Long live RAMSI? Peace-building, anti-corruption and political will in Solomon Islands

Abstract

Donor-led post-conflict interventions often involve the transfer of anti-corruption institutions and approaches. However, some question the sustainability of these efforts. This article examines the sustainability of anti-corruption funding during and after the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) intervention (2003–2017), an international peace- and state-building mission. It focuses on allocations for and spending on Solomon Islands anti-corruption organisations during and after the RAMSI-led intervention for the period 2010 to 2020. It shows that while political elites have occasionally resisted anti-corruption reforms, post-RAMSI governments have maintained levels of funding to key anti-corruption agencies above that of its nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, while passing new anti-corruption legislation. The article argues that while concerns about corruption remain, political elites have, initially at least, maintained their commitment to anti-corruption policy transfer in the post-RAMSI era. The findings have implications for evaluating donor-led anti-corruption efforts in Solomon Islands and other post-conflict situations.