News and Public Notices

 

According to his Vice Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Regional Member, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili (Jnr), Mr James Marape was in the cabinet at the National House Parliament, with his delegates who paid a short respect to the people of Bougainville for maintaining the spirit of peace keeping in the last 20 years since the signing of the peace agreement in August 30th 2001.

 

Hon. Peter Tsiamalili conveyed the Prime Minister's congratulatory remarks at the Hahela Parish Community, where the people of Tsitalato Constituency combined to commemorate the 20th anniversary of peace keeping in the region.

 

Mr Tsiamalili (Jnr) acknowledged the people of Bougainville, the public servants, private sectors, business community, the churches and the young children of today for their continued and tireless efforts in maintaining peace in the region.

 

“Today we are celebrating a day to remember what we fought for the future generation. And today the kids are enjoying the day and I’m hoping that many more years to come this would become an iconic date that every children will continue to celebrate."

 

We are enjoying peace today because of what our uncles, fathers, brothers, mothers and grandmothers and fathers have stood for peace and stability in our communities and families, he said.

 

“So in the future I can see this as a very special day for the younger generation.”

 

I am privileged to stand here and to make a remark on how the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has become a world class document for successfully conducting the peace process in a conflicted region, between the government and the people and its neighboring countries, he said.

 

Twenty years ago when the Bougainville Peace Agreement ( BPA) was signed, no one predicted how Bougainville could have come this far but we did and we have, he said.

 

In the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and Bougainville journey, we have lost many lives. Many infrastructure were destroyed but that is the character of the peace agreement and those of us here today owe it to all those who made the crucial sacrifice to ensure that their legacy lives on and that Bouganville achieves self determination, he said.

 

Mr Tsiamalili (Jnr) reminded all that the negotiations between the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville to reconcile their differences to come to a mutual agreement for a better approach for peace building did not come easy. It was because of the people and their desire for peace and unity and change to take place, that resulted in the establishment of the peace agreement.

 

The Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) 20th anniversary was celebrated at the Hahela Parish Community on Monday and copies of the BPA were also distributed during the day.