Lincoln Agreement
(23 JANUARY 1998)
On Peace, Security and Development on Bougainville
The Government of Papua New Guinea, the Bougainville Transitional Government, Bougainville Resistance Force, the Bougainville Interim Government, the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and Bougainville leaders (the "Parties"), having met in Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand, from 19-23 January 1998.
Praying for the Almighty's forgiveness, guidance and blessing for their common endeavours;
Emphasising their firm commitment to peace by building on the achievements in the Burnham Declaration, Burnham Truce and the Cairns Commitment;
Acknowledging the suffering, pain and loss on all sides of the conflict that they have agreed to end forever;
Committing themselves to peace, reconciliation and working together for the common good;
Engaged in a process of consultation and cooperation, initiated by Bougainvillean leaders, which they will continue;
Hereby agree:
1. PEACEFUL MEANS
The parties will cooperate to achieve and maintain peace by peaceful means. They also pledge to renounce the use of armed forces and violence, and agree to resolve any differences, by consultation, both now and in the future. They confirm also their respect for human rights and the rule of law.
2. EXTENSION OF THE TRUCE
The parties agree to extend the period of the Truce currently in force to the 30th of April 1998 to allow for consultation as regards the establishment of the ceasefire.
3. CEASEFIRE
3.1 A permanent and irrevocable ceasefire will take effect in Bougainville at 2400 hours on 30 April 1998.
3.2 The parties will cooperate to reduce fear in Bougainville and take urgent steps to cooperate in promoting public awareness of, and respect for, the ceasefire.
3.3 Immediately the ceasefire takes effect, the parties will refrain from use of arms, ammunition, explosives and other instruments of death, injury or destruction in Bougainville.
3.4 The parties will not manufacture, trade or distribute weapons and ammunitions.
3.5 The parties will cooperate in accordance with law in reporting and preventing the use, manufacture, importation, sale, trade and exchange of weapons and ammunitions.
3.6 The parties will cooperate with the successor to the TMG in recording, locating and arranging disposal of all arms, ammunitions, explosives and other instruments of death, injury and destruction, including parts and ingredients of all the parties in Bougainville.
4. WITHDRAWAL OF DEFENCE FORCE FROM BOUGAINVILLE
The parties agree to a phased withdrawal of the PNG Defence Force from Bougainville subject to restoration of civil authority.
5. PEACE MONITORING GROUP
5.1 The Papua New Guinea National Government undertakes to conclude the arrangements required for deployment of the successor to the neutral regional Truce Monitoring Group (TMG) by no later than 30 April 1998.
5.2 The Papua New Guinea National Government will seek the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council for these arrangements, including the appointment of a Special observing mission to monitor these arrangements.
6. MANDATE OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE
The Mandate of the Successor to the TMG will be to:
6.1 Monitor and report on the compliance of the parties to all aspects of the ceasefire;
6.2 Promote and instil confidence in the peace process through its presence, good offices and interaction with people in Bougainville;
6.3 Provide people in Bougainville with information about the ceasefire and other aspects of the peace process;
6.4 Provide such assistance in restoration and development consistent with this Agreement as the parties may agree and available resources allows.
6.5 Assist with the development and training and institution of a Bougainvillean constabulary.
6.6 And such other matters as may be agreed to by the parties which will assist with the democratic resolution of the situation.
7. TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN PEACETIME POLICING
The parties will cooperate in:
a) Re-establishing the Village Court System in Bougainville; and
b) Restoration of civilian peacetime policing, including arrangements that will facilitate the recruitment, training and deployment of Bougainvillean police.
8. RECONCILIATION
8.1 The parties will cooperate in promoting reconciliation between Bougainvilleans and with other individuals, groups and organizations in Papua New Guinea.
8.2 The parties agree to free and democratic elections on Bougainville to elect a Bougainville Reconciliation Government before the end of 1998.
9. REMOVAL OF BOUNTIES AND FREE MOVEMENT
The Papua New Guinea National Government:
a) Has confirmed the removal of bounties; and
b) Will facilitate the free and unhindered movement Bougainvilleans into, within and out of Papua New Guinea in accordance with law.
10. AMNESTY AND PARDON
The Papua New Guinea National Government will:
a) Grant amnesty to persons involved in crisis-related activities on all sides;
b) Following receipts of advice from the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy, recommend pardons for persons convicted of crisis-related offences.
11. RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
11.1 The parties will cooperate in restoration and development in Bougainville in both the public and private sectors with particular emphasis on rural areas.
11.2 The Papua New Guinea National Government will seek appropriate forms of assistance from international organizations, foreign governments and organizations for restoration and development in Bougainville.
11.3 Assistance for restoration and development in Bougainville will, to the maximum practical extent, be sought and administered so as to promote Bougainvillean participation.
11.4 The Papua New Guinea National Government will prepare an Indicative Program in consultation with the parties to help secure funding and other resources to assist in restoration and development in Bougainville.
11.5 The parties agree to cooperate in restoring normalcy, including the return of Bougainvilleans in care centres to their villages and resuming development in Bougainville by acting without delay to:
11.6 Facilitate communications and access to villages on Bougainville,
11.7 Provide essential services such as health and education.
12. CONSULTATION LIAISON
The parties agree to promote consultation, cooperation and liaison at the political level among Bougainvilleans and with the Papua New Guinea National Government.
13. POLITICAL ISSUE
13.1 The parties agree to meet again in Bougainville to address the political issue before the end of June 1998.
13.2 Officials will meet as required to prepare for such meetings.
14. PUBLIC AWARENESS
The parties will cooperate in promoting public awareness of, and respect for, this Agreement.
ANNEXES TO THIS AGREEMENT AND SUBSIDIARY ARRANGEMENT
Detailed arrangements for implementation and development of this Agreement may, by agreement, be embodied in Annexes or subsidiary arrangements to this Agreement.
16. ONGOING cooperaTION
In signing this Agreement the parties whose signatures appear below commit themselves to working together for peace, justice, security and development in Bougainville by:
a) cooperating with each other; and
b) Promoting a bipartisan approach in the National Parliament and in the community as a whole.
Done at Lincoln, Christchurch, New Zealand this 23rd day of January 1998.
SIGNED BY:
Sir John KAPUTIN, KBE, CMG, GC (Togo), MP
Chief Negotiator
PNG Government
Mr Joseph KABUI
Vice President
Bougainville Interim Government
Hon. Sam AKOITAI, MP
Minister for Bougainville Affairs
PNG Government
General Sam KAUONA
Commander BRA
Hon. Gerard SINATO
Premier
Bougainville Transitional Government
Hon. John MOMIS, MP
Member for Bougainville Region
PNG Government
Hon. Michael LAIMO, MP
Member for South Bougainville
PNG Government
Hon. Michael OGIO, MP
Member for North Bougainville
PNG Government
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