ABG President Ishmael Toroama has expressed gratitude to the Papua New Guinea Government for recognizing Bougainville’s right to self-determination. At the recent Second Joint Moderation Meeting in Port Moresby, he emphasized the need for the outcome of the 2019 referendum, where an overwhelming 97.7 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence, to be implemented in good faith. President Toroama reaffirmed Bougainville’s unwavering commitment to independence and urged both the National Government and international partners to respect the referendum results.
During his remarks, Toroama outlined two essential, non-negotiable positions regarding Bougainville’s path to independence: that the model for independence is precisely defined on the referendum ballot, and that the date for independence is set for September 1, 2027. He emphasized the importance of both governments working together to clarify the future relationships between these two sovereign entities on Independence Day.
Additionally, the president highlighted the critical issue of Section 342 of the National Constitution, which pertains directly to enacting the referendum’s outcome. He firmly stated that the referendum results are an undeniable record of the people’s wishes and that the Bougainville community will not tolerate any illegal vetoes by the National Parliament regarding their democratic choice.
The ongoing moderation process is not intended to create alternative frameworks or transitional arrangements but instead focuses on the straightforward implementation of independence. President Toroama reiterated that Bougainville has met all necessary benchmarks from the Bougainville Peace Agreement, including disarmament measures and governance improvements, and now stands ready for this final phase.
He also called upon international partners, particularly those who are signatories to the Bougainville Peace Agreement, to actively support the implementation of the referendum outcome. The president stressed the need for these partners to recognize that this is no longer just an internal matter for Papua New Guinea, urging increased engagement from all countries involved in the peace process.
In closing, President Toroama presented a document titled “The Bougainville Memoir – Arguing the Bougainville Case” to the Moderator, Sir Jerry Mataparae, which encapsulates Bougainville’s history and resilience in the pursuit of independence.
The discussions highlight a significant moment in Bougainville’s journey toward self-determination, with both domestic and international stakeholders recognizing the importance of fulfilling the people’s democratic aspirations for independence. This development offers hope for a peaceful resolution to Bougainville’s political future and aims to foster a relationship of respect and partnership between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.
Leave a comment