Six months since Bougainville has journeyed into the referendum period, leaders still face the biggest challenge of determining whether the region is prepared for independence or not. The referendum window, that could be the last clause of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) that has been made effective states that region can prepare its people thus, allowing all the necessary process that is required to leading to the referendum or the election of Bougainville’s political future. The window has opened in June 15 making effective the peace agreement that ended the ten-year crisis in the region. The Department of Referendum is responsible for coordinating consultations with the veterans and former combatants and the wider population. It has started consultations with the Mekamui and former combatants in communities and attempts have been made to unite all factions in Bougainville. This is the initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). According to a senior officer of the Department of Referendum, It has been very challenging especially with combining two different factions who have their own differences but a recent consultation forum has proven to be quite successful. Not all members of the two different factions (Mekamui and former combatants) were presented at the veteran’s consultation forum but the turn out was good. The two days consultation forum began on Wednesday 25th November and Thursday 26th November and gave an opportunity for all veterans and former combatants including members of the Mekamui from the three regions (North, South and Central) to speak on issues affecting the process of the referendum. The veterans were reminded to have respect for each other and be aware of the directions and responsibilities different parties concerned had to contribute in the process of the referendum. Member for Selau and Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Referendum Hon Joseph Watawi acknowledged all veterans with a statement ‘the success of referendum is in our hands.’ The issues that Hon Watawi identified that are very challenging at the moment are; the very limited time Bougainville has to prepare for the referendum; a need for a 10th anniversary review of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and that people are not really aware of the expectations of the referendum. There is also a need for all to take the referendum issue seriously and drive the agenda, he said. Hon Watawi stressed on how culture was important for reconciliation, another big sensitive issue in Bougainville and urged for all different parties to harness it as part of the process of referendum. “The success of the referendum process depends on us,” Hon Watawi added.
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