Bougainville's president John Momis said he suspects the Papua New Guinea government is trying to undermine the region's autonomous government.
Bougainville's Panguna Copper mine Photo: Supplied
Mr Momis said this comes at a critical time for Bougainville as it prepares for a vote on possible independence from PNG, to be conducted in June 2019.
He said the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has failed to clarify what is happening to Bougainville Copper shares which were promised more than a year ago to landowners in Bougainville.
Mr Momis said such lack of action adds to a disturbing undercurrent that could undermine the referendum process.
"At this juncture of the long process of finding a democratic, just solution of the Bougainville bloody war we must not succumb to pressures that try to undermine the Peace Agreement. I think it is very important that we must persevere in our commitment."
