Weapons disposal remains a primary objective of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), the minister for the implementation of the Peace Agreement says.
Guerillas of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), some still wearing camouflage, watch the signing ceremony of the Bougainville Ceasefire Agreement at Arawa on Bougainville 30 April Photo: AFP
Albert Punghau said with the support of the Papua New Guinea Government, the ABG was primarily responsible for laying the foundation for the lasting peace and security required by the Peace Agreement.
When the PNG/Bougainville Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) met last year it embraced a commitment for a weapons free Bougainville, Mr Punghau said.
New Dawn FM reported Mr Punghau saying the commitment had been enthusiastically welcomed by former combatants, including the Meekamui factions.
The JSB had asked the National Executive Council to release funding of US$3.6 million dollars for the process, he said.
Weapons disposal is considered a vital step as Bougainville prepares for a vote on independence from PNG in June next year.
The 10-year civil war that broke out in Bougainville in 1989 claimed over 20,000 lives.