New Ireland & Bougainville people reconcile

By Aloysius Laukai

The Governor of New Ireland and former Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, this morning said he was happy to visit Bougainville after many years of conflict on the island.

As Prime Minister, Sir Julius engaged the Sandline mercenaries to fight in Bougainville and today’s big reconciliation ceremony is designed to end the ill feeling created at that time between the people of New Ireland and Bougainville.

Last year a similar ceremony was held in Kavieng. Today’s ceremony was held in Buka.

Sir Julius was welcomed by the regional member for Bougainville, Hon Fidelis Semoso, the ABG Vice President, Hon Ezekiel Masat, and members and ministers of ABG.

Ieta and Malasang traditional groups welcomed the delegation from New Ireland into Buka Town for the reconciliation ceremony at the Hutjena Sports ground.

There were two ceremonies to welcome first the Maimais who came by ship and another delegation that arrived later on Air Niugini. The group who came by boat arrived at Buka main wharf at eight o’clock to be welcomed by chiefs and dancers from Ieta village.

A peace ceremony was performed at the wharf between the chiefs and the Maimais. Paramount Chief for Ieta John Nalei welcomed the group to Buka island and told them they had nothing to fear as the people of Bougainville have been waiting for this ceremony to happen.

In his welcome address, Mr Semoso assured Sir Julius that peace and normalcy has taken place on Bougainville adding that he had nothing to fear whilst in the province.

Sir Julius thanked the people of Bougainville for the traditional welcome performed for him and his delegation.

All of today’s ceremonies were carried live on New Dawn FM.

Pictured is the ABG President washing the feet of the New Ireland Governor and former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan [Photo by Aloysius Laukai]