The Bougainville Independence Leaders Forum recommends independence on 1 September 2027, following a 2019 referendum where 97% favored independence. The decisions of the Constituent Assembly are asserted to be independent of moderation processes led by PNG. The PNG government is urged to collaborate in implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has put forth a significant recommendation for independence, proposing 1 September 2027 as the date for Bougainville’s autonomy. This recommendation precedes upcoming consultations between leaders of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville, facilitated by independent moderator Sir Jerry Mataparae, a former New Zealand Governor General.
In a referendum held in 2019, an overwhelming 97 percent of Bougainvilleans expressed their desire for independence. Despite this strong support, the vote was non-binding, necessitating ratification by PNG’s national parliament for it to take effect.
In a recent statement endorsed by 14 representatives, including President Ishmael Toroama, the Forum emphasized that the decisions of the Constituent Assembly will remain unaffected by the moderation process. Bougainvilleans aim to establish their sovereign relationship with PNG following independence, highlighting that, “The work of the Constituent Assembly is NOT(sic) dependent on the moderation consultation process.”
The Forum articulated that the moderation process should aim to delineate the new relationship between an independent Bougainville and PNG, treating both as sovereign nations. They underscored the importance of pursuing Bougainville’s independence through peaceful discussions rooted in Melanesian values and mutual respect.
Additionally, the Forum noted that the PNG national government lacks the authority to veto the referendum results and must engage cooperatively in realizing the Bougainville Peace Agreement as well as the outcomes of the referendum for independence.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Forum has officially proposed 1 September 2027 for Bougainville’s independence, following a significant 2019 referendum where over 97 percent of voters favored this move. The resolution emphasizes the need for Bougainville’s leaders to define their own relationship with PNG as sovereign entities, asserting that the PNG government cannot dismiss the referendum outcomes and must facilitate the independence process through cooperative dialogue.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
