Media Statement from the Office of the ABG Attorney General and Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation
It disappoints me that the National Government continues to treat the Bougainville people, the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), Part IVX of the Organic Law, the Constitution and various Agreements with careless disregard and disdain.
- Era Kone Covenant obligated the National Parliament to Ratify the Referendum Results in 2023. Without consulting with Bougainville, Parliament was adjourned to 2024. The National Government lives in continuous breach every day in 2024.
- When we expected the National Government to deal with the Bougainville issue in February, the Parliament adjourns to May 28th.
- Yesterday we learned that the National Government has made an appointment for the Head of the Bougainville Police Service.
Commissioner Manning, the National Minister for Police and the National Government are in breach of the Constitution and the BPA.
Section 26 of the Organic Law and section 237 of the BPA cannot be any clearer.
In appointing the Head of the Bougainville Police Service, the Commissioner MUST consult with the Bougainville Government and it is the Nominee from the Bougainville Government that is to be appointed.
I am disappointed in lack of consultations and blatant breach of the Laws, particularly when you are supposed to be the first to portray respect and the compliance for the Rule of Law.
The actions of Commissioner Manning adds to the public perception that there are different sets of Laws.
Worse still is the perception that the Commissioner can decide which Laws to adhere to and those he can ignore and breach.
I call on the National Minister for Police to pull his Commissioner into line.
As one voted in by Bougainvilleans, the Minister must ensure his Commissioner acts in the Interest of Bougainville. By continuously breaching the BPA and the Organic Law over the last months and years leaves Bougainvilleans about Bougainville’s issues, in this case the Ratification of the Referendum Vote.
Bougainville is NOT an ignorant fool.
We are very clear on the National Governments' devious and devilish intentions and strategies.
I call on Minister Tsiamalili to direct his Commissioner to open up consultations on the appointment of the Head of the Bougainville Police Service.
Bougainville’s wishes and nominee (if any) must be respected as required by law and the BPA.
It is becoming worrying, the number of occasions the National Government through her Ministers has acted without consulting the Bougainville Government.
Bougainville will not be appeased and hoodwinked by the number of new Police vehicles brought in through the Security Treaty.
Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, MHR
ABG Attorney-General and Minister for
Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation
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