Pacific / Bougainville

Bougainville resistance factions and PNG Defence Force to reconcile

12:47 pm on 8 April 2019

Reconciliation is being planned in Papua New Guinea between the country's defence force and factions of Bougainville's Revolutionary Army, or BRA.

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

The Bougainville resistance movement fought against the defence force and other security forces during Bougainville's ten-year civil war which ended in the late 1990s.

As part of the peace agreement, PNG's autonomous region of Bougainville is to hold an independence referendum later this year.

PNG's Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Bougainville Affairs said it was important to have a proper reconciliation before the referendum.

The NBC reported William Samb saying a ceremony was planned for 15 June.

The reconciliation will be held in Panguna, involving BRA factions and the national government through the PNG Defence Force and the police, he said.