Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum recommends 1 September 2027 for independence. This follows a 2019 referendum with 97% support for independence. Decisions by the Constituent Assembly will remain independent of PNG’s moderation process. PNG government must comply with referendum outcomes and collaborate in the peace agreement enactment.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has officially recommended 1 September 2027 for Bougainville’s independence. This proposal precedes upcoming consultations between leaders from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville, facilitated by independent moderator Sir Jerry Mataparae, a former New Zealand Governor General.
Notably, a referendum held in 2019 revealed that over 97 percent of Bougainvilleans voted in favor of independence; however, this vote remains non-binding, necessitating ratification by PNG’s national parliament.
In a statement released on Wednesday, signed by 14 representatives, including President Ishmael Toroama, the Forum asserted that resolutions made by the Constituent Assembly would not be swayed by the moderating process. Bougainville leaders will determine the territory’s future relationship with PNG.
The Forum emphasizes that the work of the Constituent Assembly will proceed independently from the moderation process. The dialogue should focus on establishing a new relationship between both Bougainville and PNG as independent nations. They advocate for a peaceful and constructive approach to advancing Bougainville’s independence through respectful dialogue.
Furthermore, the Forum has stated that the PNG national government lacks the authority to dismiss the referendum results and must engage actively to fulfill the Bougainville Peace Agreement and support the outcome of the referendum regarding independence.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has made a significant recommendation of 1 September 2027 as the target date for independence. The focus will remain on establishing Bougainville’s relationship with Papua New Guinea as sovereign entities. The Forum firmly states that the PNG government cannot dismiss the democratic choice made by Bougainvilleans and must collaborate to execute the terms of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
