Panguna reconciliation unites old enemies By Aloysius Laukai
The people of Panguna today attended a traditional clenching ceremony in preparation for tomorrow’s reconciliation ceremony.
The traditional ritual was to remove blood stains from former fighters in the Bougainville crisis that killed about 20,000 people and left another 40,000 people homeless.
The Panguna event was the first of three reconciliation ceremonies scheduled for the area around the former minesite.
The reconciliation was between uncles of the late chief and Panguna landowner killed at the start of the Bougainville conflict.
Those who were clenched included fighters in the conflict, Mekamui soldiers, Bougainville revolutionary fighters and those who fought alongside the PNG Defence force, the resistance fighters.
After the ceremony, ABG President, James Tanis said the ritual had united the youths of Panguna and there should be no more factions in the area.
Akoitai endorses leadership of president Tanis By Aloysius Laukai
Former Bougainville national parliamentarian and runner-up in the ABG presidential by-election last year, Sam Akoitai, has announced he will not contest the 2010 ABG election.
Mr Akoitai was the Member for Central Bougainville and Mining Minister in the last national government until his defeat at the 2007 national election.
Speaking at a meeting of Wakunai chiefs attended by ABG president James Tanis, Mr Akoitai said he would not contest the presidential seat and appealed to his supporters to give their votes to Mr Tanis.
He said President is a young energetic and talented politician who deserves a full five year term in office. He said Mr Tanis had proven his worth and delivered services to his people.
Mr Akoitai said he is happy with the president’s vision on building a cooperative relationship with the national government and other institutions.
The former member said he would be working closely with the president who, since being elected, had achieved a lot to bridge the gap between former warring parties.
The two leaders will attend the Panguna reconciliation tomorrow.
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