Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has reaffirmed his dedication to present the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville referendum in Parliament, a crucial move towards shaping the region’s political future. At a recent Joint Moderation Consultation Meeting with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Marape expressed his readiness to formally acknowledge the referendum’s staggering 97.7 percent vote in favor of independence.
The Prime Minister underscored the significance of parliamentary deliberations, advocating for Bougainvilleans to embrace the results he promised to respect, thereby recognizing the overwhelming mandate from the referendum. This referendum is a key aspect of the Bougainville Peace Agreement initiated in 2001, which sought to bring an end to a decade-long civil conflict in the area.
Despite this strong show of support for independence, the pathway to parliamentary ratification has faced obstacles, primarily linked to outstanding issues surrounding disarmament. Marape has voiced concerns over the presence of unaccounted weapons in Bougainville and has urged both the ABG and the United Nations to provide clarity on the status of disarmament efforts. This highlights the ongoing challenges stemming from the peace agreement.
Marape’s statements resonate with previous commitments made during the signing of the Era Kone Covenant in 2022, which set a timeline to finalize the referendum results in Parliament by 2023, with implementation expected between 2025 and 2027. However, delays in ratification have cast uncertainty on Bougainville’s political status.
Stressing the necessity of addressing security issues, Marape declared, “No more guns in Bougainville, and I don’t want to find out,” emphasizing the need for lasting peace before advancing towards a decision on independence.
In the midst of these discussions, ABG President Ishmael Toroama has called on the Prime Minister to formally endorse the referendum results in Parliament, positioning independence as the primary goal for Bougainville. His remarks are deeply rooted in the historical context of the peace negotiations, highlighting the long-held aspirations of Bougainvilleans for self-determination that predate Papua New Guinea’s own independence.
Toroama also reminded participants of the critical pillars of the peace agreement—disarmament, economic development, and the referendum—while stating that the quest for independence has been a longstanding desire of Bougainville’s populace. The sessions held during the Joint Moderation Consultations aim to tackle various issues faced by both governments, paving the way for the referendum results to be passed in Parliament.
The current moment for Bougainville represents a potentially transformative opportunity to establish a new governance framework, fostering a responsive relationship between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, and perhaps leading to a more peaceful and recognized political future. The collective commitment from both the PNG Government and the ABG reflects a willingness to navigate the complexities surrounding Bougainville’s aspirations for self-determination.
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