Pacific / Bougainville

Bougainville moves James Tanis sideways after inquiry

10:27 am on 2 April 2019

A former president of Bougainville has been dumped from a key post because he tried to bypass the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Photo: twitter

James Tanis, who had been secretary of Bougainville's Department of Peace Agreement Implementation, last year went directly to the Papua New Guinea Government, seeking payment for service providers he had employed but who had not been paid.

Bougainville President John Momis said an inquiry found Mr Tanis was out of line and he has been stood down.

But he said Mr Tanis, who was president from 2008 until 2010, will remain engaged in referendum related matters as the October vote on independence from PNG nears.

"Especially the post-referendum issues which we are now currently involved in discussing with the national government. So James Tanis has a lot of experience, he's quite good, except that he couldn't handle the departmental managerial responsibilities."