Bougainville independence movement

The Lincoln Agreement on peace, security and development on Bougainville

By Michael J Field, Agence France-Presse
9 February 1998

The government of Papua New Guinea, the Bougainville Transitional Government, Bougainville Resistance Force, the Bougainville Interim Government, the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and Bougainville Leaders (the "Parties") having met in Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand, from 19-23 January 1998

Praying for the Almighty's forgiveness, guidance and blessing for their common endeavours;
Emphasising their firm commitment to peace by building on the achievements in the Burnham Truce (sub: both words italics) and the Cairns Commitment (sub: both words italics);
Acknowledging the suffering, pain and loss on all sides of the conflict that they have agreed to end forever;
Committing themselves to peace, reconciliation and working together for the common good;
Engaging in a process of consultation and cooperation, initiated by Bougainvillean leaders, which they will continue;

1. PEACEFUL MEANS

The parties will co-operate to achieve and maintain peace by peaceful means. They also pledge to renounce the use of armed forces and violence, and agree to resolve any differences, by consultation, both now and in the future. They confirm also their respect for human rights and the rule of law.

2. EXTENSION OF THE TRUCE

The parties agree to extend the period of the Truce currently in force to the 30th of April 1998 to allow for consultation as regards the establishment of the ceasefire.

3. CEASEFIRE

3.1 A permanent and irrevocable ceasefire will take effect in Bougainville at 2400 hours on 30 April 1998.

3.2 The parties will co-operate to reduce fear in Bougainville and take urgent steps to cooperate in promoting public awareness of, and respect for, the ceasefire.

3.3 Immediately the ceasefire takes effect, the parties will refrain from use of arms, ammunition, explosives and other instruments of death, injury or destruction in Bougainville.

3.4 The parities will not manufacture, trade or distribute weapons and ammunitions.

3.5 The parties will co-operate in accordance with law in reporting and preventing the use, manufacture, importation, sale, trade, exchange of weapons and ammunitions.

3.6 The parties will cooperate with the successor to the TMG in recording, locating and arranging disposal of all arms, ammunitions, explosives and other instruments of death, injury and destruction, including parts and ingredients of all the parties in Bougainville.

4. WITHDRAWAL OF DEFENCE FORCE FROM BOUGAINVILLE

The parties agree to a phased withdrawal of the PNG Defence Force from Bougainville subject to restoration of civil authority.

5. PEACE MONITORING GROUP

5.1 The Papua New Guinea National Government undertakes to conclude the arrangements required for deployment of the successor to the neutral regional Truce Monitoring Group (TMG) by no later than 30 April 1998

5.2 The Papua New Guinea National Government will seek the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council for these arrangements, including the appointment of a Special observing mission to monitor these arrangements.

6. MANDATE OF THE PEACE KEEPING FORCE

The Mandate of the Successor to the TMG will be to:

6.1 monitor and report on the compliance of the parties to all aspects of the ceasefire;

6.2 promote and instil confidence in the peace process through its presence, good offices and interactions with people in Bougainville;

6.3 provide people in Bougainville with information about the=20 ceasefire and other aspects of the peace process;

6.4 provide such assistance in restoration and development consistent with this Agreement as the parties may agree and available resour- ces allows;

6.5 assist in the development and training and institution of a Bougainville constabulary;

6.6 and such other matters as may be agreed to by the parties which will assist with the democratic resolution of the situation.

7. TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN PEACETIME POLICING

The parties will co-operate in

(a) re-establishing the Village Court System in Bougainville; and
(b) restoration of civilian peacetime policing, including arrangements that will facilitate the recruitment, training and deployment of Bougainvillean police.

8. RECONCILIATION

8.1 The parties will co-operate in promoting reconciliation between Bougainvilleans and with other individuals, groups and organisations in Papua New Guinea.

8.2 The parties agree to free and democratic elections on Bougainville to elect a Bougainville Reconciliation Government before the end of 1998.

9. REMOVAL OF BOUNTIES AND FREE MOVEMENT

9.1 The Papua New Guinea National Government:

(a) has confirmed the removal of bounties; and
(b) will facilitate the free and unhindered movement of Bougainvilleans into, within and out of Papua New Guinea in accordance with law.

10. AMNESTY AND PARDON

The Papua New Guinea National Government will

(a) grant amnesty to persons involved in crisis-related activities on all sides; and
(b) following recepts of advice from the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy, recommend pardons for persons convicted of crisis related offences.

11. RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

11.1 The parities will co-operate in restoration and development in Bougainville in both the public and private sectors, with particular emphasis on rural areas.

11.2 The Papua New Guinea National Government will seek appropriate forms of assistance from international organisations, foreign governments and organisations for restoration and development in Bougainville.

11.3 Assistance for restoration and development in Bougainville will, to the maximum practical extent, be sought and administered so as to promote Bougainvillean participation.

11.4 The Papua New Guinea National Government will prepare an Indicative Program in consultation with the parties to help secure funding and other resources to assist in restoration and development in Bougainville.

11.5 The parties agree to co-operate in restoring normalcy, including the return of Bougainvilleans in care centres to their villages and resuming development in Bougainville by acting without delay to

(a) facilitate communications and access to villages on Bougainville;
(b) provide essential services, such as health and education.

12. CONSULTATION AND LIAISON

The parties agree to promote consultation co-operation and liaison at the political level among Bougainvilleans and with the Papua New Guinea National Government.

13. POLITICAL ISSUE

13.1 The parties agree to meet again in Bougainville to address the political issue before the end of June 1998.

13.2 Officials will meet as required to prepare for such meetings.

14. PUBLIC AWARENESS

The parties will co-operate in promoting public awareness of, and respect for, this Agreement.

15. ANNEXES TO THIS AGREEMENT AND SUBSIDIARY ARRANGEMENTS

Detailed arrangements for implementation and development of this Agreement may, by agreement, be embodied in Annexes or subsidiary arrangements to this Agreement.

16. ONGOING CO-OPERATION

In signing this Agreement the parties whose signatures appear below commit themselves to working together for peace, justice, security and development in Bougainville by

(a) co-operating with each other; and
(b) promoting a bipartisan approach in the National Parliament and the community as a whole.

Done at Lincoln, Christchurch, New Zealand this 23rd day of January 1998.

SIGNED:

Sir John Kaputin
Chief Negotiator PNG Government

Mr Joseph Kabui
Vice President
Bougainville Interim Government

Hon Sam Akoitai MP
Minister for Bougainville Affairs, PNG Government

General Sam Kauona
Commander BRA

Hon. Gerard Sinato
Premier Bougainville Transitional Government

Hon John Momis, MP
Member for Bougainville Regional PNG Government

Hon. Michael Laimo MP
Member for South Bougainville PNG Government

Hon Michael Ogio, MP
Member for North Bougainville PNG Government

Hilary Masiria
Resistance Commander

WITNESSED BY:

Hon. Bartholomew Ulufa'alu, MP
Prime Minister Solomon Islands.

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