State, Society and Governance in Melanesia

State, Society and Governance in Melanesia

You are invited to attend a public lecture by

Honourable John Momis

President, Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Challenges of Implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement

Date: Tuesday 1 March 2011, 3.30pm to 5.00pm

Venue: Coombs Extension Bldg, Room 1.04

Fellows Road, The Australian National University

Abstract: Elected President of Bougainville in June 2010, John Momis
faces many challenges in implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement
(2001), the political settlement to the destructive and divisive
Bougainville conflict of 1988 to 1997. The Agreement provides for
de-militarisation of Bougainville, special autonomy for Bougainville,
and a referendum on Bougainville independence no earlier than 2015 and
no later than 2020. Challenges include: continuing divisions in
Bougainville and presence of many hundreds of weapons; slow progress in
developing autonomy; limited capacity in the Bougainville
Administration; rapid turnover of ministers and senior public servants
at the National level; limited economic development, and low ABG
revenues; major choices on the future of mining; and rapid approach of
the period within which the referendum must be held.

John Momis, from Buin, in South Bougainville, has been a key figure in
PNG and Bougainville politics for over 40 years. Trained (in PNG and
Australia) as a Catholic priest, he was a member of the National
Parliament 1972-2005. Regarded as 'father' of the PNG Constitution
because of his role as de facto chair of the PNG Constitutional Planning
Committee from 1972 to 1974, he has held many other National Government
offices, including deputy prime minister, leader of the opposition,
several ministries, and Ambassador to China (2007 to 2009). A
significant figure in most aspects of Bougainville politics since the
1960s, in recent years he was Governor of the Interim Bougainville
Provincial Government 1999-2005, and (with Joseph Kabui) co-leader of
the joint Bougainville team in the negotiations for the Bougainville
Peace Agreement (1999-2001).

ALL WELCOME

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