The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has recommended September 1, 2027, for independence after a 2019 referendum showing over 97% support. Key leaders, including President Ishmael Toroama, stated that the Constituents Assembly’s work is independent of PNG’s moderation process, emphasizing a sovereign relationship between Bougainville and PNG. The PNG national government is not authorized to reject the referendum results and must help implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has officially recommended September 1, 2027, as the date for Bougainville’s independence. This resolution precedes discussions between leaders of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville, overseen by independent moderator Sir Jerry Mataparae, a former Governor-General of New Zealand. Following a 2019 referendum in which over 97 percent of Bougainvilleans supported independence, this recommendation aims to formalize the region’s independence aspirations.
The Forum emphasized that the decisions of the Constituent Assembly should remain unaffected by the ongoing moderation process. The leaders of Bougainville, including President Ishmael Toroama, affirmed their intention to define the relationship between Bougainville and PNG, emphasizing the necessity for both regions to operate as independent sovereign entities. They stated, “The work of the Constituent Assembly is NOT dependent on the moderation consultation process.”
Furthermore, the Forum underscored the importance of the moderation process, describing it as a vital pathway for achieving Bougainville’s independence through peaceful dialogue, aligning with Melanesian values. They asserted that the national government of PNG does not possess the authority to annul the referendum results and is instead obligated to support the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the outcomes of the referendum.
In conclusion, the Bougainville Independence Leaders Forum has taken decisive steps towards establishing September 1, 2027, as the envisioned date of independence. Their statements clarify that the independence agenda remains distinct from the ongoing discussions with the PNG government, reinforcing the commitment of Bougainville leaders towards sovereignty and democracy. Moving forward, the collaboration with the PNG government is crucial in realizing the results from the 2019 referendum.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
