By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – James Tanis, a former guerilla fighter, has been elected President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville.  Former National Government Cabinet Minister, Sam Akoitai, says he is happy with the choice of Mr. Tanis because he was instrumental in the peace process.  He has urged the ABG under Mr. Tanis’ leadership to prioritize weapons disposal and the referendum which are both key issues in the Bouganville peace agreement.  Mr. Tanis took up arms against supporters of the Panguna Copper Mine says Bouganvilleans have been isolated from decision making processes over the last few years.  Irreconcilable differences over the mine divided the landowners and local communities before it was closed in 1988 during the provinces 10 year long civil war.

Monica Taga of the Bougainville InterChurch Women’s Forum says she is happy with the victory and says there is a need to finish peace building in the formerly war-torn province.  She says there are three pillars within this, “The first pillar being peace building in regards to weapons disposal – that is incomplete.  And also rehabilitation, thinking about, if weapons are disposed, how do you rehabilitate those that own the guns right now.  The ex-combatants and the civilians who are victims at this time and also the reconstruction of the essential services.”

Mr. Tanis, the former separatist, beat 13 other contenders for the post made vacant by the death of Joseph Kabui in June this year.  The Post Courier newspaper reports he was nearly two thousand votes ahead of the second highest polling candidate, Mr. Akoitai.  In the first election for President in 2005 Mr. Tanis finished third behind Mr. Kabui and former Governor John Momis.

Meanwhile, Mr. Akoitai says many Bougainvilleans were denied their democratic rights in the poll because their names were not on the common roll.

For more information, please see:

Pacific Islands Report – Tanis Elected President of Bougainville – 29 December 2008

Radio Australia – James Tanis new Bouganville President – 29 December 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Finishing peace building process likely main task for new Bougainville President – 29 December 2008