Way forward for Siwai Crisis

FORGIVENESS is not easy but it can sometimes be the only way forward to achieve everlasting peace and harmony. Such is the case for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s Siwai District. Even after the bloody 10 year conflict on the Island; hatred, bitterness and anger still exist between the Panguna and Siwai people.

Siwai, located to the South of Bougainville, was where a lot of combatants in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army came from. During the crisis many prominent Siwai leaders were alleged to have been tortured and killed in Panguna for suspected treason.

They include Late Anthony Anugu, former Member of the PNG National Parliament for South Bougainville; Benjamin Kirape, former Deputy Administrator; Joe Rangai, private Accountant; Micheal Pareu, a youth Leader; and Joe Mo’otung, a youth leader- all alleged have been killed at Panguna in 1990. Since the disappearance of these leaders, ill feelings and animosity continues between the Panguna and Siwai people.

But now there is hope, the Siwai Crisis Mediation Plan aims to bring conflicting parties together, to achieve peace.

The Siwai Crisis Mediation Plan is an initiative under the Panguna Peace Building strategy headed by Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen Deputy Program Director Dr Naihuwo Ahai.

“The Siwai Crisis Mediation Plan proposes a five step process that begins with consensus building within the individual clans of the Siwai leader victims, moving forward to a joint process, followed by both the Siwai and Panguna stakeholders and finally with the recovery and burial of the remains of the victims” says Dr Ahai.

The Australian Government, through the Panguna Peace Building Strategy, is working with the Autonomous Bougainville Government in achieving peace and security.

There remains a need to reunite and heal divided communities. This is the role of the Panguna Peace Building Strategy, a forward-looking reconciliation and mediation initiative for Panguna and its surrounds. The Strategy was developed by the Autonomous Bougainville Government in 2011 to help communities turn a new page, rise above the factionalism, division and suspicions, and work towards developing mutual trust.

The Panguna Peace Building Strategy has the backing of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia, through Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen, providing K1.28 million to complement the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s funding commitment of K1 million.

The process is offering some solace for Angellius Anugu, (son of the late Anthony Anugu) and his family. Angellius was just 17 years old when his father was taken prisoner and later killed. There are many unanswered questions still remaining for Angellius and his family. Angellius and his brothers long for an opportunity to retrieve their father’s remains from Panguna and give him a proper burial in Siwai.

He has therefore applauded the Siwai Mediation Plan. Angellius tells in tokpisin, “Mi wanbel waintaim dispela Siwai Crisis Mediation Plan bikos em i karamapim whole Siwai district na mi ting olsem em bai givim hope long kamapim bel isi. Long mi yet na famili bilong mi i redi long fogivim husait igo pas long kalabusim na killim papa blo mipela. All mipela i laikim is to be able to give him a proper burial hia long Siwai.”

(I am happy with the Siwai Crisis Mediation Plan because it involves the whole Siwai District and I think it will offer some hope in achieving peace. For me and my family, we are ready to forgive those who were involved in the arrest and killing of our father. All we want to do now is to be able to give him a proper burial here in Siwai.)

The first meeting was held in Siwai on February 19 2014 that brought together 30 participants, including village and women leaders, former combatants and those who lost loved ones during the Siwai Crisis.