Siwais to hold arms summit

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
FOLLOWING the recent signing of a ceasefire agreement between five warring factions in Konnou constituency, community representatives at Siwai, South Bougainville, have planned for an arms summit to be held in Siwai district.
The proposed Siwai district arms summit is being planned for January.
The Siwai District Peace and Security Committee (SDPSC) last Friday agreed to prioritise preparation for the arms summit, which will be a first for the autonomous region.
The arms summit will allow youths, women, churches, veterans, chiefs and other stakeholders to discuss weapons disposal in the district and Bougainville.
Committee deputy team leader Michael Komoiki said a survey by the Veterans Association had shown that there was a ‘serious’ arms build-up in the region.
“It is clear in the number of unauthorised entry of foreign vessels into our waters via Loloho port. Arms are now in the hands of ex-combatants, business houses, criminals and registered arms under the government,” Komoiki said.
Chief of Kaparo village Ignatius Morou said the number of guns in South Bougainville had doubled compared to when the Bougainville crisis was on and he urged that the arms summit be supported.
“These guns are not ours. We do not have a factory here yet we have so many guns coming into the region.”