New Zealand defends humanitarian mission amid breach of peace agreement claims

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has responded to concerns raised by the Autonomous Bougainville Government over the landing of a C-130 aircraft in Buka on Thursday.

The NZDF says the operation was part of a humanitarian mission, but the Bougainville officials have described it as an “unauthorised landing”.

A spokesperson for the NZDF says the C-130J Hercules aircraft was authorised by Papua New Guinea (PNG) to operate within its airspace to deliver humanitarian supplies, including first-aid equipment, clothing, and books.

“A Royal New Zealand Air Force C130J Hercules is currently in Papua New Guinea, to take part in Operation Planti Balus: a multi-country aircraft operation organised and led by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force,” the spokesperson says.

Bougainville is an island province of Papua New Guinea located 800 kilometres east of the capital, Port Moresby. It became part of the newly-independent PNG in 1975 after being governed by German, British, Japanese, and Australian authorities.

The town of Buka, where the aircraft landed, lies just north of Bougainville Island. It is accessible by air, with a direct flight of almost two hours from Port Moresby.

Flag of Bougainville. Photo/Supplied

The Attorney-General for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ezekiel Masatt, called the aircraft landing an “incident” that took place without prior consultation.

Masatt says it’s a breach of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which established a weapons disposal plan, provided for elections leading to an autonomous government in Bougainville.

The agreement included a non-binding referendum on the issue of independence, which was to take place 10 to 15 years after the election of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Ezekiel Masatt is the Attorney General and Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation and Law and Justice. Photo/Supplied

“At a time when Bougainville is holding elections, and shortly after the high-level meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, this action has created unnecessary suspicion and apprehension,” Massat says.

Bougainvilleans headed to the polls on Friday, aiming to elect a leader who would further their quest for independence.

While acknowledging that the mission may have been humanitarian in nature, Massat stressed that such intentions do not override established processes.

“This is a serious breach of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. Whether the operation is for Humanitarian purposes or not is irrelevant”.

Watch President Ishmael Toroama of Bougainville meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres below.