Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Bougainville to look to training aspiring politicians

Posted at 01:55 on 27 November, 2012 UTC

The government in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville is considering training aspiring politicians.

A former rebel leader, Ishmael Toroama, made the call during a reconciliation ceremony for the province’s president, John Momis, who 15 years ago was held hostage for a month by rebels.

Mr Momis has embraced the call and says it is incumbent on leaders to pass on their experience and guide younger leaders.

He says in this way they will understand why certain actions have been taken.

“The need for democracy, for negotiations, for empowering people in a structural wayand agiving them a voice and I think the call by Ishmael Toroama is a good one and we will very seriously, not only seriously consider it but in fact I believe we should budget for it, if we have the money budget it for it and start next year.”

Bougainville President John Momis.