On behalf of my family, the people of Tonsu Constituency, the Department of Bougainville Independence Implementation, the Bougainville Independence Mission Advisory Team, the Bougainville Independence Consultation Team and the Justice Department, I convey my deepest sympathy and condolence to the wife, the children and grandchildren of Late Joseph Watawi on his passing on the afternoon of 15 November 2021 at his home at Kokopau Town, Selau District, North Bougainville, AROB.

While the family has lost their dearest Father and Grandfather, the Government of Bougainville and the people of Bougainville have lost a Bruk Lus, Bruk Stret na Bruk Olgeta icon. Late Chief Watawi gave a lifelong dedication to the Bougainville Peace Process and Independence. Even while on his sick bed, Late Watawi continued to contribute to the Post Referendum Consultations through phone texts and phone calls. The Bruk Lus Icon joined the peace process hailing from the Bougainville Transitional Government under the Leadership of Premier Late Gerard Sinato. The BTG leaders then reunited with the Bouganville Interim Government and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army forming the Bougainville Peoples Congress that provided leadership to successfully negotiate the Bougainville Peace Agreement. Late Chief Watawi was one of the frontline negotiators and thinkers that brought an end to the Bougainville armed conflict.

I was privileged to serve the Bougainville Political Leadership coalition that included Late Chief Watawi as a very senior member as a technical and legal advisor to the Bougainville Negotiation Team. After the negotiations of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the Late Watawi was elected as the first member for the Selau Constituency in the elections of the first Autonomous Bougainville Government. Late Chief Watawi rose the second highest post on Bougainville serving the first Inaugural House as the Vice President to the Late President Joseph Kabui.

He served as Minister for Trade under President James Tanis and built the first ever copra mill on Bougainville. Late Chief Watawi became a key element of the Independence leadership in his role as the ABG Parliamentary Committee Chairman of Referendum which he branded as the ‘Bruk Lus’ committee. He served the Selau Constituency in three terms but unfortunately did not make it to serve the fourth House. However, due to this immense knowledge and institutional memory, I made a personal decision to engage him as a political advisor in the Bougainville Independence Mission Advisory Team and an Eminent Person in the Independence Consultations. I was privileged to have served under you and Late Joseph Kabui as my Vice President and after the passing away of Late Kanui, he served me as the Vice President in his capacity as Minister for Trade and Industry, during the term of President James Tanis.

Late Watawi has left a huge gap in the Bougainville Independence Leadership. I will always remember this great Bruk Lus Icon for the times he even tried to prove us lawyers wrong by correcting almost every letter and word in the resolutions we drafted. I am indeed sorry that I have lost a great mentor, a friend, a colleague and above all, a brother.

We will cherish every moment of our time together on this long road to independence. We offer our prayers of support to the family, the wife, the children and grandchildren. Until we meet on that glorious morning when the Lord returns to call us home, may your soul rest in peace amongst the souls of every Bougainvillean Leader that had gone ahead of you.

Farewell my Hero.

Hon. Ezekiel Masatt Attorney General and Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission

Member for Tonsu Constituency

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