Island Achiever
Bougainville Peace Process Gets PNG's Moi Avei Honoured
Now, he's looking forward to the election
Papua New Guinea's Bougainville conflict has again produced another role model through the recent knighting of Bougainville Affairs Minister, Sir Moi Avei.
He has been made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the Queen¹s New Year's Honours list.
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Among others in the past, the most notable would be the recognition that Bougainville has provided for the former New Zealand Foreign Minister, Don McKinnon, by being appointed Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Although his involvement in the Bougainville conflict was minimal, it played a significant part in his appointment. The same can be said for Papua New Guinea's latest knight, Avei. Although he was recognised for his contribution to the public service and politics, his involvement in the Bougainville peace process gave rise to his selection. The other Papua New Guinean leader, who also contributed to the peace process, although he did not receive any recognition, was former prime minister, Bill Skate.
Significant among his involvement was his visit to Bougainville on Christmas Eve in 1998, where he spent the festive season with his counterpart from the Solomon Islands, former prime minister, Bartholomew Ulufa¹alu. The move was to show the Bougainvilleans that the governments of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands were genuine about peace on Bougainville.
Skate still boasts about this achievement, which he has every right to. His effort made possible what is happening today. But for Avei, it is a well-deserved recognition. No one in Papua New Guinea will deny his contribution. Even before being knighted, he had won tremendous praise from his colleagues in government, other Papua New Guineans and the Bougainvilleans themselves.
Avei's biggest achievement was the Bougainville peace agreement, which was signed between the Bougainvilleans and Papua New Guinea government in September last year.
The peace signing was possible through his leadership. He worked tirelessly to set up the groundwork through many lead-up meetings on Bougainville, in other parts of Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
There were instances when the chances for success looked grim. However, through Avei's patience, understanding and professional negotiation skills he displayed throughout, he was able to keep the process alive, resulting in the historic signing.
Many people from his electorate have struck him off their list for this year's elections because he spends less time in the electorate. Today, he is either in Bougainville or being involved in a related issue elsewhere.
He knows that this might affect his chances of winning the election. But he has started the process, which is so brittle that it needs his full commitment.
It is a national issue and he wants to see it completed for as long as he is the minister responsible.
He hopes that if only his people in the electorate could understand this, they would be more appreciative of his work.
Avei's commitment had been highlighted in a recent gathering in South Bougainville to witness the disposal of arms by ex-combatants in the area. Bougainville People¹s Congress president, Joseph Kabui, said whether the people of Kairuku/Hiri would return Avei or not in this year's election, he will be remembered for the current peace process on the island. Kabui said Avei has done a lot for the current peace process.
Weapons disposal, one of the pre-conditions of achieving real peace on Bougainville, took another bold step to reality in December, when factions of the ex-combatants from South Bougainville surrendered their arms to the United Nations Observer Mission leader, Ambassador Noel Sinclair, during an arms disposal ceremony.
About 31 firearms were surrendered to the United Nations observer team. The arms were then sealed into two trunks and locked away in a container. The ceremony at Banoni, one of the least developed areas of the province because of its remoteness, was the first on the once war-ravaged island. This would pave the way for a complete weapons disarmament with other factions on the island likely to follow suit.
The ceremony at Banoni had a historical coincidence about it. During World War Two, more than six decades ago, a similar event by the Allied Forces took centre stage there. This was a significant contribution to the fate of the war.
One of the key figures in the crisis and rebel commander, Ismael Toroama, also participated in the ceremony with Kabui, his deputy Gerald Sinato, and another BRA commander, Sam Kauona. Toroama gave his undertaking to continue the progress and commitment for peace. Kauona challenged fellow hard-liners to honour the agreement and participate in arms disposal.
The arms disposal ceremony was witnessed by key players in the peace process, so far including Ambassador Sinclair, British High Commissioner, Simon Scadden, Australian High Commissioner, Nick Warner, Bougainville Governor, John Momis, Avei and United Nations Development Programme representatives. Avei was praised for his contribution by Sinclair.
Commenting on his knighthood, Avei said: "It came as a surprise to me. Normally, you work your way and you get rewarded as a public figure. But when it comes in the form of a knighthood, it¹s an added bonus." Avei's political career started in 1971 when he graduated from the University of Queensland in Australia. He joined the public service and at the same time became the first president of the country's oldest political party, the Pangu Pati.
However, he lasted only 18 months in the public service because as party president, it was the party¹s belief that one should not mix the public service with politics.
He contested the elections three times and lost all. Then in 1992 he tried again and won. Ever since, he has been in parliament as member for Kairu/Hiri in the Central province. He is again contesting this year¹s election and is quietly confident of winning, although some of his voters think otherwise.
Avei is seriously thinking about setting up his own political party. The details of his party are to be released before the election in June.
