| Country: | Papua New Guinea |
| Details of Formation: | In 1989, separatist rebels on Bougainville began an armed struggle against the government. The militia Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) is formed with the aim to make Bougainville independent. Bougainvilleans who opposed the independence formed the Bougainville Resistance Forces that were supported by the Papua New Guinea government. The first reported activity of the PGM is in 1993 but it is unknown when the PGM was originally formed. |
| Details of Termination: | The militias which were fighting against each other agreed in May 2001 to surrender their weapons. On June 1, 2001 the government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville signed a peace treaty that granted Bougainville far reaching autonomy. In June 2003 it is reported that 90% of registered weapons were handed in. Only rebel leader Ona did not join the disarming process. |
| Purpose: | In the late 1980s and 1990s, the Papuan government was faced with the Bougainville secessionist movement. It supported the Bougainville Resistance Force which were militiamen from Bougainville who also opposed the secessionist army. |
| Organisation: | In 1996, members of the Resistance force also carried out an ambush on Papuan military personnel. Therefore, the military’s control over the PGM was weak. |
| Weapons and Training: | Militiamen were equipped with rifles. |
| Size: | In 2006, 4,085 former Resistance members received a financial compensation by the government. |
| Reason for Membership: | Members were against the secession of Bougainville from Papua New Guinea and therefore collaborated with the Papuan government. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | Violent operations such as killings or torture of civilians were approved by the army of Papua New Guinea that cooperated with the militia. The extensive violence led to an escalation and intensified the war between government and Bougainville secessionist. |
| Other Information: | A.K.A. Bougainville Resistance Fighters/ Resistance Forces Movement |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |