Francis Ona

Francis Ona (c. 1953 – 24 July 2005) was a Bougainville secessionist leader who led an uprising against the Government of Papua New Guinea, motivated at least initially by his concerns over the operation of the Panguna mine by Bougainville Copper, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group. On 17 May 1990, he declared the independence of the Republic of Me'ekamui. It was not recognised internationally. Later Ona proclaimed himself "King of Me'ekamui" in May 2004.