Matakana and Okataina Understanding

• Country/entity

  Papua New Guinea
  Bougainville
  
• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Asia and Pacific
  
• Agreement name

  Matakana and Okataina Understanding
• Date

  22 Apr 1999
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Bougainville Conflict (1987 - 1998) )
• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Bougainville: peace process
• Parties

  Signed:
  Honourable Sir John R Kaputin, KBE, CMG, MP, Special State Negotiator, Papua New Guinea Government;
  Honourable Sam Akoitai, MP, Minister for State, Papua New Guinea Government;
  Honourable John L Momis, MP, Member for Bougainville Regional;
  Honourable Michael Ogio, MP, Member for North Bougainville, Deputy Speaker, Papua New Guinea National Parliament;
  Honourable Michael Laimo, MP, Member for Bougainville South;
  Joseph Kabui, Co-Chairman, Bougainville Constituent Assembly;
  Gerard Sinato, Co-Chairman, Bougainville Constituent Assembly;
  Joel Banam, Chairman, Leitana Council of Elders;
  Hilary Masiria, Chairman, Bougainville Resistance Forces;
• Third parties

  Witnessed by:
  Sir Paul Reeves, GCMG, GCVO, CF, QSO;
• Description

  Understanding among Bougainville parties for government. Paved way for formation of interim advisory body.

• Agreement document

  PG_990422_Matakana and Okataina Understanding.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Appendix K:

Matakana and Okataina Understanding

The Government of Papua New Guinea, the Bougainville Constituent Assembly, the Bougainville Resistance Forces, the Leitana Council of Elders, the four Bougainville Members of the National Parliament and other Bougainvillean Leaders (the "parties"), having met in New Zealand, have agreed as follows:

1. All of the parties remain committed to securing lasting peace by peaceful means through implementation of both the letter and the spirit of the Lincoln Agreement.

We pledge ourselves to maintain the permanent and irrevocable ceasefire as we work our way towards a negotiated political settlement of Bougainville's longterm political future.

Preparing future arrangements for government on Bougainville

Bearing in mind the need to look beyond the immediate situation, the parties agree that the Special State Negotiator will prepare a package of proposals on the powers, functions, structure and status of Bougainville's government, geared to Bougainville's needs.

− All individuals and groups in Bougainville will be given the opportunity to make written submissions to the Special State Negotiator.

− We request that the technical officers of the Bougainvillean parties meet as soon as possible to prepare for discussions on future arrangements for government on Bougainville, including discussions on other related matters raised in this document.

We agree that political Leaders will meet to discuss the package as soon as possible, and no later than 30 June 1999.

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− We all agree to use the package as a basis for our discussions.

− All parties agree that Bougainville needs united political leadership.

We commit ourselves to work to make such leadership possible.

Leadership issue

The parties note the commitment made by the National Government that, if Bougainvillean leaders reach agreement, then it is willing to consider lifting the suspension on the Bougainville Provincial Government in accordance with law.

The Minister for State will work jointly with other Bougainvillean Members of the National Parliament (MPs) in exercising his executive powers and functions in Bougainville;

the MPs should consult immediately about how they will work together and try to resolve any differences.

The parties note that the Basic Agreement makes clear that the National Government will only act on advice that is broadly representative of the people of Bougainville. (

The Bougainvillean parties will have to arrive at inclusive arrangements which allow the heads of local-level institutions to be fairly represented and participate).

The selection processes currently underway can go ahead.

The Bougainvillean parties will consult with a view to organising themselves to participate in achieving a progressive political settlement.

While participants in the peace process are entitled to select their leaders in their own ways, we recognise that there must be proper elections when the agreed package for Bougainville comes into effect, and request the Electoral Commission to begin preliminary work for such elections.

The parties will co-operate in explaining and publicising their agreement regarding elections to the people.

All of the parties agree to refrain from making divisive statements while the package is under negotiation.

Weapons disposal

12. Weapons disposal should begin immediately.

− The Peace Process Consultative Committee (PPCC) should convene immediately and discuss detailed plans for weapons disposal.

− New Zealand will be asked to assist and facilitate the weapons disposal process.

− The current United Nations observer mission will be asked to be present and observe the process.

APPENDIX K - MATAKANA & OKATAINA UNDERSTANDING 235

National political support

13. Recognising that only the National Government can provide the lawful basis for any future governmental arrangements, we request all Members of Parliament to listen to the views of the people of Bougainville and to co- operate on a bipartisan basis and the National Government mutually agrees to consult meaningfully with the four Bougainvillean National Parliamentarians.

Representative body to plan and manage reconstruction

14. The National Government will prepare proposals for legislation to establish an authority containing representatives of all major groups to plan and manage major reconstruction activities in meaningful consultation with the four Bougainvillean National Parliamentarians.

Appreciation of New Zealand, and future meetings

15. We are grateful for the support that our New Zealand hosts and other governments in the region give us in working for peace, but recognise that the responsibility for consolidating and building on what we have achieved is ours;

from now on we must make sure that we meet as required and, for purposes of transparency and accountability, that we do so in Bougainville or some other part of Papua New Guinea.

Implementation of existing Agreements

16. As part of our shared commitment to the mutual confidence-building on which the peace process is based, the parties reaffirm the agreement made in the Lincoln and Ceasefire Agreements for the PPCC to develop detailed plans for phased withdrawal of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Mobile Riot Squad from Bougainville subject to restoration of civil authority

Done at Lake Okataina, New Zealand, this 22nd day of April 1999.

Signed:

Honourable Sir John R Kaputin, KBE, CMG, MP Special State Negotiator

Papua New Guinea Government

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Honourable Sam Akoitai, MP Minister for State

Papua New Guinea Government

Honourable John L Momis, MP Member for Bougainville Regional

Honourable Michael Ogio, MP

Member for North Bougainville

Deputy Speaker

Papua New Guinea National Parliament

Honourable Michael Laimo, MP Member for Bougainville South

WITNESSED BY:

Sir Paul Reeves, GCMG, GCVO, CF, QSO

Joseph Kabui

Co-Chairman

Bougainville Constituent Assembly

Gerard Sinato

Co-Chairman

Bougainville Constituent Assembly

Joel Banam

Chairman

Leitana Council of Elders

Hilary Masiria

Chairman

Bougainville Resistance Forces