Reflections of Leonard Fong Roka
From the suppressive and exploitative claws of Papua New Guinea, violent protests gave us a provincial government system; ten years of bloodletting and death, gave us this autonomous status. And what will give us nationhood?
Be a TRUE Bougainvillean for Bougainville
The government of Papua New Guinea under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare approved the Bougainville Constitution Bill in December 2004. After this, the constitution was adopted by the Bougainville Constituent Assembly on the 12 November 2004 in Buin, South Bougainville. Then, the approved constitution was presented to people of Bougainville represented by Bougainville Governor, Mr. John Momis, by then Minister for Inter-Government Relations Sir Peter Barter, in a ceremony on the 14 January 2005 in Arawa.
On the 16 of JUNE 2005, we gathered on the lawns of Hahela Primary School to witness the birth of an infant, the Bougainville Autonomous Government that was and is wedlock child of the Bougainville ten years conflict. As Bougainvilleans, we did not nurture or purchased this crisis, but rather, it was our island’s skedaddle out of noisome suppression and exploitation.
From day one, our government started off from the scratches; and, was founded on a society of haunting nonconformists that has affected us economically and politically. I am referring to our known conflicting want-to-lead setups, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Meekamui (Papaala fits here).
But to most, the ABG fitted well the American concept, ‘a government by the people; of the people and for the people’. Thus, it functioned well with the people and the external forces like the Papua New Guinea government and aid donors especially, the government of Australia, where most Bougainvillean development aid was and is sourced from. But, I am yet to identify where to slot in our Meekamui when considering the sovereignty of Papua New Guinea and the United Nations enforced and backed International Laws.
Nonetheless, our ABG did survive the nightmares so far, as Meekamui turn to expose internal divisions and fragmentation.
In the first house of the ABG, led by the late Joseph Kabui (2005-2008) and continued by James Tanis (2008-2010), there are several significant issues Bougainville observed and felt; and had far reaching impacts on our island.
The very first house to my observations, was in terms of decision making was more focussed on creating cordial relationships for our financially zero-balanced government. This manifestation, under the leadership of the late Joseph Kabui, created between the Japanese and Bougainville was the K95 million, Bakanovi to Rawa bridging project officially planned to end by 31 December 2013.
However, the stunt of this regime was the Invincible Resources Affair with Lindsay Semple who was an Australian based in Canada. With this project, according ABC’s reporter, Steve Marshall, Sam Kauona went from rebel army commander to President Kabui's key financial adviser and he's not even on the government payroll.
Kauona, to many, was the man who engineered the project with Lindsay Semple. Then coerced his old crony, the late President Joseph Kabui (read ‘Joseph Kabui and his Leadership of Bougainville in http://lfongroka.blogspot.com/2012/05/joseph-kabui-and-his-leadership-of.html ); who of course then, as a leader was struggling to make ends meet for his government and people.
The deal according to Steve Marshall, gave Lindsay Semple 70% of Bougainville’s untapped mineral resources, fishing rights and forestry rights.
This was just one as of a leadership running in a politically conflicting environment in its desperation of providing goods and services for its post conflict Bougainville.
Many, leaders and even ordinary people helped to condemn the ABG-Invincible Resource affair. But, as I would say, we were all visionaries without a practical step into the then politically hostile air of Bougainville. The leadership then was the most pressured one I had ever seen to find means and ways to empower the new government.
According to Wikipedia, after Joseph Kabui was death from heart attack, the presidential election of November and December 2008 had James Tanis won by a margin of 13 547 votes over second-runner Sam Akoitai. He was sworn in on the 6 January 2009.
To James Tanis, as president, his leadership was to be a sort of a path finder of peace. As stated by the University of Queensland’s Institute of Social Science Research (ISSR) (http://www.issr.uq.edu.au):
‘He stressed that he saw his role as President as one of building bridges to connect all the stakeholders involved in the conflict over the mine and to facilitate an all-encompassing inclusive dialogue. Moreover, building bridges among the communities on Bougainville, between Bougainvilleans and the government and the people of Papua New Guinea as well as building bridges to the outside world is the President’s key concern’.
His leadership, had successes and controversies; has been, and should be for a post-conflict Bougainville.
So far, Bougainville’s struggle is the difficulty in changing the political and social status quo. That is, the question of asking: ‘HOW DO WE GET THE PEOPLE TO THINK LIKE THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT?’ This line of thought is so difficult for any leader to deal with when we crane our neck to the terms of referendum.
Current leader, the President John Momis should be aligned with strategies tilted towards an economic drive for Bougainville. This can be proven with proposals like the Bonus Special Economic Zone (check link http://lfongroka.blogspot.com/2012/04/micro-analysis-chinese-investment-in.html ) and now heading towards a ‘Torokina Oil Palm Project’.
This is a leadership, despite the difficult environment it is in, is working around the clock to bring change into our island and people. I for one really admire, President Momis, for his determination to pursue his goal in that grand age, where else, somebody, I believe would give up death once the SEZ was under attack. This resistance, as far as I should state, is opportunists as well as the lack of a cordial ABG-people relations.
But, from my perceptions, my dear President Momis is a leader so concerned with the strengthening of Bougainville’s economic muscles in regard to the terms of referendum in a critical hour where time is running out. How do we as Bougainvilleans, who did lost loved ones in the name of freedom for our relegated island, help? Do we help by just torturing or sacrificing for our common good? Nothing will come without a cost.
HAPPY 7TH Autonomous Bougainville Government’s BORN DAY...
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