26.11.2012
Source: Post-Courier
Ex-BRAs say sorry to Momis
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
A HISTORIC and significant reconciliation ceremony took place last Saturday in the Tinputz District of North Bougainville between the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Chief Dr John Momis and the former combatants from the area.
The ceremony which took place at the Tinputz Catholic Mission follows an incident that occurred in 1997 involving Mr Momis and the former Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) members from Tinputz.
At that time, President Momis who was then the Bougainville Regional MP was conducting his campaign during the National Election at the Tinputz Catholic Mission when he was kidnapped by the former combatants and taken to the late Francis Ona’s Guava village in the Panguna District of Central Bougainville.
During his stay at Guava village, Mr Momis was continuously questioned by the late Mr Ona regarding his stand and position on the crisis issue and on other issues concerning the political future of Bougainville.
Mr Momis was later released by Mr Ona after staying at Guava village for nearly a month and continued with his campaign trail resulting in him retaining his Regional MP seat.
Speaking during the reconciliation event, President Momis thanked all the leaders, especially those from Tinputz for arranging this ceremony.
He said this event had taken place because of the collective will of the people.
Mr Momis said during his stay at Guava, he had found Mr Ona as a man of integrity and understanding.
He said he had come to realise the late leader as someone who orchestrated the crisis because he had visions for the future of Bougainville.
President Momis also thanked his kidnappers for treating him well during the duration of his captivity.
Former BRA commander Ismael Toroama, who was also present to witness the event, said he was happy to see that the Tinputz chiefs had finally returned the authority back to President Momis.
He said this incident had come about as a result of politics in Bougainville, adding that this event marked the progress of Bougainville politics to new level.
Mr Toroama, who spoke on behalf of the former combatants, said this reconciliation would lead them to work together with Mr Momis.
Other leaders present to witness the event included the ABG leaders, vice president of the Me’ekamui Government of Unity Philip Takaung, Bougainville Police chief Thomas Eluh, UN representative in Bougainville Tony Agyenta and other chiefs from Bougainville.