Kingship
On 17 May 2004, Ona declared himself as "King of Bougainville" or Mekamui. He was crowned King Francis Dominic Dateransy Domanaa, head of state of the Royal Kingdom of Me’ekamui. Me’ekamui, meaning “holy” or “Holy Land”, is an old tribal name for Bougainville. Elections for the Autonomous government in 2005, which he opposed, brought Ona out of his safe haven into the public eye for the first time in 16 years. He also sanctioned the establishment of a Central Bank run by Noah Musingku. Both Joseph Kabui and Sam Kauona stated that Ona was being used by Musingku and his outsiders. Ona declared that Bougainville was already independent and capable of running its own affairs.
Perhaps as a result of Ona’s continued influence in Bougainville, only 3% of the eligible voters participated in the elections of the New Zealand-brokered Autonomous Government in May 2005, a number that in no way can be considered a mandate for the Autonomous government.
- His Royal Highness, told the people that the fact that only 3% of the eligible voters on Bougainville voted in the May Autonomous Government elections means that the remaining 97% support his government, and as such, it is the only government they can turn to, to advance their push for development regardless of various differences.
In 2005 a local newspaper run by Noah Musingku reported the World Bank contacted Ona as King of Me’ekamui and offered financial assistance. The bank recognized his government’s existence and was standing by to provide financial assistance, in the event that it may need such help. This offer was refused.
Members of the Lihiri Mining Area Landowners Association in New Ireland, as well as other mining projects in Fiji and Solomon Islands contacted Ona for assistance in dealing with foreign mining concerns. Ona died on 24 July 2005 of malaria in his village. He was succeeded as King of Me’ekamui by Noah Musingku, reigning as King David Peii II.
Read more about this topic: Francis Ona