17 years after a peace agreement formally closed a decade of civil war on Bougainville, a prominent Bougainvilliean says too much emphasis is being placed on weapons disposal. Photo: AFP
A prominent Bougainvillean says too much emphasis is being placed on weapons disposal as the Papua New Guinea region prepares for a referendum on possible independence.
The vote is due to be held in June of 2019 and both the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the PNG Government have stressed the need to ensure illegal weapons are surrendered.
But Martin Miriori, who headed the former Bougainville Interim Government during the civil war, said collecting illegal weapons was unnecessary.
He said the emphasis should be on the referendum itself - not on removing guns, good governance, fiscal self reliance or other issues.
Mr Miriori said once Bougainville acquired independence all those other issues should resolve themselves.
He said while weapons disposal was included in the 2001 Peace Agreement, since then the region has peacefully held half a dozen elections, unlike other areas in PNG.
Mr Miriori also said the definition of 'weapons' was too vague, because it could include slingshots, bush knives,and bows and arrows.
