A reconciliation ceremony between three former combatants was staged recently in Panguna.
The ex-combatant lLeaderswent through a traditional ceremony conducted by women.
They signed an MOA and handed overthe bow and arrow as a symbolic gesture of laying down of arms.
Womenrsquo;s leader Therese Jaintong toldthe three commanders thattheir act of reconciliation was reassuring and welcomed.
It demonstrates commitment towardsthe efforts ofthe Panguna peace building strategy towards referendum.
The Panguna Peace Beilding strategy was set up bythe Autonomous Bougainville government in 2011, so that communities could learn to trust each ther again.
Ishmel Toroama spoke on behalf ofthe ex-combatants. He described it as an emotional day.
The ceremony as also attended by representatives of AusAID.
The Autonomous Bougainville Panguna Peace building strategy hasthe backing ofthe governments oPNG and Australia, with AusAID providing K1.28 Million to complementthe ABe’s FUNDING COMMITENT OF 1 MILLION KINA.
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