Arawa celebrates Bougainville day
Thirteen years ago Bougainville made a historic transition into a more flexible self-governing system that is the autonomous arrangements that it enjoys today.
June 15 is the day that epitomizes the hopes and dreams of Bougainvilleans as they progress towards the referendum for self-determination.
This year’s celebrations in Bougainville’s former capital, Arawa Town was a little different from the celebrations held throughout the country.
A reconciliation ceremony was held between North Nasioi Excombatants from the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and the Bougainville Resistance Forces to formally end all hostilities between them.
Kieta District Executive Manager Tonny Moera said that Reconciliation was the first step in uniting the people of Central Bougainville.
“As Bougainville approaches the final laps of its journey to self-determination we must not leave any stone unturned, we must continue to work together as a government and as a people,” Moera added.
Unlike previous celebrations of the Bougainville Day this is the first time that it involved reconciliation amongst factions from the Bougainville Crisis.
Present to witness the ceremony were representatives from the Autonomous Bougainville Government as well as newly elected Member for Central Bougainville Sam Akoitai,
Mr Akoitai expressed satisfaction at the initiative by the former combatants and said this symbolizes a new era for Central Bougainville as it moves toward the referendum next year.
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