Tension high on Bougainville after 3 killed
Updated
472The situation in the Buin area of South Bougainville is still tense following a recent clash in which three Mekamui rebels were killed. Acting Police Commander on Bougainville, Cletus Tsien says the Mekamui band of rebels led by Damien Koike, were attacked by pro-government ex-combatants 10 days ago. He says attempts by police to get both parties involved to negotiate have so far been unsuccessful. Mr Tsien says the issue between the pro and anti government factions involved in the clash is not new.
presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Acting Police Commander on Bougainville, Cletus Tsien
TSIEN: The issue that is happening in the Wisai area in south Bougainville has been an ongoing one.
Previously there was confrontation between Mr Koike and the Wisai people people. We had to send in the police to try and negotiate both parties to come and sort things and while these two factions are hunting each other inside the jungle.
SEKE: So four men were actually killed?
TSIEN: No, it was not four. I think there was three. They were from the Mr Koike, the Mekamui faction, yes.
SEKE: Now, there were reports that some other ex-combatants from some other groups were also sort of working together with the police on some kind of a joint operation. Was it?
TSIEN: They are not in joint operation with the police. We just went in there to negotiate the two factions, to sit around a round table and come up with some agreement and we are not offensive - but yes what you are saying is quite true. Some of the ex-combatants you have the ones, that are stationed in Buin which are pro-ABG. And then you have a lot of people from Wisai, they call them Wisai Liberatiion Front which are also behind ABG and then you have this small faction of Mekamui which is under the leadership of Damien Koike. I don't know whether it's the right number, but when the attack on the camp occurred on the 21st, they were about 17 men with Mr Koike.
SEKE: So what is the situation like now in the problem area?
TSIEN: This is a one-off thing, but they are not fighting continuously, but yes, the situation is tense and the people in Wisai area, especially the mothers and the children, they had to escorted to collect food from the gardens and the police party that is on the ground is trying to establish and sell this idea of coming in and having a round table settlement. But as I said, we are still hitting the brick walls, but we hope we will come up with something, time will tell.
SEKE: What's happening now, is that sort of a criminal or is it a political thing?
TSIEN: We like to think that it's not a criminal activity issue, but it's still a political issue. Thereby we need to settle it together with the political authorities, the administration, the police and the civil society in that area.
