Security stakeholders in Bougainville have called for more dialogue to ensure the upcoming referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea runs smoothly.
A tentative date of June 15th 2019 has been set for a referendum on possible independence in the Autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Bougainville is to hold the referendum from 23 November.
Last month combatants from both sides of Bougainville's civil war in the 1990s held a major reconciliation.
The Bougainville Veterans committed to maintaining peace and fulfilling the disposal of weapons remaining in circulation.
But Dennis Kuiai of the Joint Weapons Disposal Secretariat told EMTV more dialogue is needed to bring all elements on side leading up to, during and after the vote.
"There may be external interventions, or there may also be internal uprisings caused by some Bougainvilleans, especially those that for some time have been regarded as the outlier groups."
Dennis Kuiai, co-chair of Bougainville's Joint Weapons Disposal Secretariat.
Last month's Bougainville Me'ekamui and Veterans Summit resulted in the Mary, Queen of the Mountains - Panguna Declaration.
This includes commitments to the referendum, to maintain peace and stability before and after the referendum, the disposal of weapons, and agreement that the Panguna mine can be re-opened after the vote.
The summit attendees aimed to have guns held by former combatants and civilians contained by 15 August, with an ultimatum that the collection process be completed by 1 September.
The verification of the guns will be done by the Bougainville Police Service, working with community governments and veterans.
