241114BUKA WELCOMES PNG DEFENCE FORCE SOLDIERS
BY JENNIFER NKUI

Papua New Guinea Defence Force Soldiers under the command of Colonel Walter Enuma, were traditionally welcomed at the Buka Wharf today by the director of the ABG peace division Nick Peniai and the chief executive officer for Veterans affairs Aron Pita.
The traditional ceremony included the presentation of traditional shell monies to the PNG Defence force commanders by Chief Peter Darek, the washing of the feet known as ‘Susu’ in the Buka language and the presentation of a traditional carved Garamut to Colonel Enuma by the women from the Kisi Bamboo Band Group.
The low key but very significant peace and reconciliation ceremony which took place at the Buka wharf included the former operations commander during the Bougainville conflict Ishmael Toroama, other ex-combatants, representatives from the ABG peace and veteran’s affairs offices and the PNG Defence Force.
Mr. Peniai who was the Master of ceremony this morning explained to the general public that the PNG Defence Force are in Bougainville for the burial of their comrade Commander Martin Taririn and also to go through the memorandum of understanding between the PNG Defence Force and the Ex-combatants.
The former Revolutionary Army General Ishmael Toroama expressed his appreciation in the coming of the PNG Defence Force to Bougainville for the first time after the crisis and on behalf of his comrades said that sometimes we take things for granted without appreciating them.
When giving his speech at the welcome ceremony, the former general revealed that the coming of the PNG Defence Force to Bougainville is one way of enhancing relationship between the two parties.
He said their coming has also opened a big door for both parties to sit down and talk, especially when looking at the bodies of their late comrades, either one way or the other.
He added that whatever the outcome of the MOU, the ex-combatants will still appreciate all that is being done and are looking forward to working together with the PNG Defence Force on the outcome of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Colonel Walter Enuma has given his approval for the HMSPNGS Rabaul formerly known as the Tarangau to be used for awareness on the Atolls by the PNG Defence Force with the ABG.
The colonel who was moved by the welcome given to him by Thomas Tari in Buin yesterday and today in Buka said that he is very happy to be in Bougainville to witness such developments to which shows that Bougainville is ready for peace and reconciliation.

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