Bougainville

Kabul leads Bougainville

Revolutionary Army

strongman, Joseph

Kabui, who was sacked by rebel leader Ona last year, was elected president of the newly established Bougainville Peoples Congress during elections in May.

Kabui was elected with an overwhelm ing majority of 77 of the 87 possible votes.

Kabui and BRA commander Sam Kavona were sacked by Ona for signing a peace treaty with the PNG government.

After the election, Kabui appointed 29 members to the Congressional executive council. He and his members will sit with the PNG government to discuss peace for the trouble tom island of Boungainville.

“Independence is not a new debate between Bougainville and PNG. Its cause, however, was colonialism, not the people of PNG. It has now been written in blood and we must address it directly and hon estly. It is still a long road ahead,” said Kabui. “This is only the beginning but a comer stone and foundation for a new Bougainville has already been planted,” he said.

“However, I think we have all had a chance to stand back and look at the situa tion over these past two years of peace. I believe that PNG can see there is no turn ing back from the aspirations of the Bougainville people and I am confident we will reach an early understanding on the way forward to lasting peace.”

It is understood that options are still open to five of Ona’s executives to become members of the congress.

The Bougainville elections were held following political controversy and debate surrounding the calling for elections because unknown to Port Moresby, the island’s administration, in cohort with

pro-secessionist leaders organised the

elections which they said would elect lead ers who would sit with the national gov ernment and thrash out future political direction for the island. ■