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President Toroama visits Tonu

The Autonomous Bougainville Government continues to make headway in unifying Bougainville as it prepares for the consultations with the National Government.

President Ishmael Toroama today met with U-Vistract leader Noah Misingku to witness a reconciliation ceremony between Police Minister Thomas Tari and the faction at Tonu, Siwai District.

The reconciliation stems from an assault on Tonu  in 2006 that resulted in several deaths and injuries and caused a rift between the ABG and the U-Vistract.

The reconciliation is the first step in unifying Bougainville and bringing the faction into alignment with the ABG.

The reconciliation saw customary obligations fulfilled by both sides to signify the end of hostilities and any ill feeling between the ABG and the U-Vistract faction led by Mr Misingku.

President Toroama was firm in his resolve that the ABG is the only legitimate government on Bougainville but encouraged commitment by both sides to see the process to it’s fulfilment.

President Toroama said Bougainville is undergoing a spiritual and socioeconomic and political transformation and that those under the banner of the faction are encouraged to embrace it as it prepares for independence.

The President challenged Mr Misingku and his faction to unite with the rest of the region as it continues to consult with the National Government.

He said that the National Government will embrace the Bougainville process if the people unite and work together when they put aside their differences to create a prosperous Bougainville.

President Toroama also expressed his gratitude to the faction and the communities in the area for cooperating with the ABG.

There has been much apprehension over President Toroama’s visit to Tonu to visit the U-Vistract stronghold.

The ABG still maintains it’s decision that it does not recognize the U-Vistract faction as a separate government from Bougainville.

It does however see it as an important stakeholder in the peace process.

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