BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
THE Ministry of National Unity Peace and Reconciliation is planning a customary reconciliation between the chiefs and traditional leaders of Choiseul province and Shortland Islands.
The planning process will collaborate with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s council of chiefs (AROB) under the framework of the 2014 MOU signed in Buka between leader representatives of Choiseul, Shortlands and Autonomous Regions of Bougainville Council of Chiefs (AROB).
Western Provincial Peace and Reconciliation Deputy Director Mr Wilson Liligeto told Island Sun Gizo yesterday the representatives of the MOU are prepared to advance further negotiations with respective government agencies to achieve lasting peace.
Liligeto explained that on the margins of the border dialogue, the representatives of Choiseul province, Shortland Islands and Western region hereby demand the national government – “To assist financing the National Healing and Forgiveness Program as agreed in the NMOU signed by Chiefs, Traditional Leaders and Representatives of the Government Agencies on 29th November 2017 at Gizo, Western Province.
“To settle the compensation claims by Choiseul Province, Shortland Islands and the Western Region of Western Province prior to the National Healing and Forgiveness Programme in 2018 in line with the customary reconciliation together with AROB.
“Failure by the National Government to settle the claims by the Parties, the Parties shall boycott the National healing and Forgiveness Programme in 2018,” said Liligeto.
