Ahead of the Bougainville referendum, reconciliation ceremonies are being seen as an integral step on the pathway to peace, and for Bougainvilleans to heal and move forward.
Peacebuilding through reconciliation ceremonies in Bougainville is being supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government. The priority is reconciling issues and grievances between groups and individuals stemming from the Bougainville Crisis, and supporting the establishment of District Peace and Security Committees to guide the process.
To date, more than 6,000 reconciliation cases have been registered across the region. For 45-year-old Kenneth Kumul, Atolls District Acting Executive Manager in the Department of Community Government, the reconciliation process has assisted communities in reuniting after years of conflict and unrest – a legacy of the Bougainville Crisis over 20 years ago.
“Fathers and sons who had not seen each other for 10 to 15 years came together,” he said proudly.
Ex-combatants and victims embrace at the Atolls District mass reconciliation ceremony held on Han Island in the Carteret Islands of Bougainville on 23 November 2018.
“Some of the people who left the islands for Buka and stayed for many years are now returning after the reconciliation happened. Back to their houses and back to their own villages.”
Originally from the remote Carteret Islands, Kenneth’s senior role in the Atolls District Administration led to his automatic appointment as chair of the District Peace and Security Committee two years ago. Comprised of representatives from government and civil society, the seven-member committee was formed to address community disputes and issues.
“The committee was identifying outstanding reconciliation issues after the Bougainville Crisis. There were a lot of outstanding issues that were never settled,” recalled Kenneth.
The customary tradition of breaking bows and arrows to symbolise peace and the end of conflict was integrated into the mass reconciliation ceremony.
Despite his commitment to peacebuilding, Kenneth admits the path to reconciliation took many months and involved a number of stages to ensure all parties were emotionally prepared.
Instead of staging individual reconciliations, it was agreed that one mass reconciliation would be held for the Atolls District on Han Island in the Carteret Islands, with boats chartered for participants from the islands of Nuguria, Mortlock and Tasman.
It was a decision that simplified logistics and, more importantly, amplified the sense of unity and inclusion – with Kenneth emphasising that “women, youth and disabled” were invited. This was a day for everyone.
Held on 23 November 2018 with over 1,000 people, the mass reconciliation was a combination of religious, cultural and customary significance.
The day began with a church service and blessing by the local priest. Combatants and victims shook hands and embraced in front of elders and community members. To signify the end of the conflict, bows and arrows were exchanged and broken before being burned.
“Reconciliation is part of the culture – to us it means a lot. When reconciliations are held, it just waters down everything. Disputes and grievances are resolved when people have reconciliation,” said Kenneth.
“The outstanding and positive thing about the reconciliation is that now people are ready for the referendum. They are really happy and minor social issues have stopped. Unlike before, communities are really cooperating now.”
Since 2016, Australia has supported 52 mass reconciliations across the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, resolving 3,870 cases related to the Bougainville Crisis. Reconciliations continue to be held in the lead up to the Bougainville referendum commencing on 23 November 2019.
Kenneth Kumul, Acting Executive Manager of the Atolls District, and chair of the Peace and Security Committee says the reconciliation process has brought individuals and communities back together.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100