Man killed after two groups clash in B’ville

THE recent killing of a man in the notorious Wisai area of Buin district has resulted in the cancellation of a meeting between Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President James Tanis and the warring militant factions in the area.
The deceased is believed to be part of the Mekamui faction that has been at war with the Wisai
liberation movement (Wilmo) for the last three years.
The meeting between the ABG and the two factions were to include a delegation headed by the Australian High Commissioner Chris Moraitis, who arrived on Wednesday, but due to security reasons, was only able to visit Arawa.
Reports from Buin stated that the Mekamui group were caught panning gold in an area controlled by Wilmo when a fight erupted between the two factions.
There were no casualties reported from the Wilmo side but Mekamui militants sustained injuries with one death reported.
The feud between the two factions started after the slaying of Deputy Bougainville Resistance Commander Jacob Naisi three years ago.