The Bougainville Independence Leaders Forum has proposed September 1, 2027, as the date for Bougainville’s independence, following a 2019 referendum where over 97% voted for independence. The Forum asserts that the Constituent Assembly’s decisions are unaffected by the upcoming moderation process and emphasizes the need for PNG to work collaboratively on the implementation of the referendum outcome.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has officially recommended September 1, 2027, as the proposed date for Bougainville’s independence. This resolution precedes forthcoming discussions between leaders of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville, facilitated by independent moderator Sir Jerry Mataparae, former Governor General of New Zealand.
In a referendum conducted in 2019, a remarkable 97 percent of Bougainvilleans voted in favor of independence. Although the referendum was non-binding, formal ratification by the national parliament of PNG is necessary for the result to gain legal force.
A statement released by the Forum, which included 14 representatives, such as President Ishmael Toroama, emphasized that the decisions made by the Constituent Assembly will remain unaffected by the moderation process. The Forum expressed a commitment to delineating the relationship between Bougainville and PNG as two distinct sovereign nations.
The Forum affirmed its endorsement of the policy that the Constituent Assembly’s work is independent of the moderation consultation process. It stated that moderation will concentrate on redefining Bougainville’s relationship with PNG, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue and respect in pursuing independence.
Moreover, the Forum asserted that the national government of PNG possesses no authority to overturn the referendum results. It highlighted the necessity for the national government to collaborate on implementing both the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the outcomes of the referendum to ensure Bougainville’s path to independence.
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has proposed September 1, 2027, as the date for Bougainville’s independence, building on a 2019 referendum where a significant majority favored independence. The Forum emphasizes that the Constituent Assembly’s decisions are independent of the consultation process and calls for a collaborative approach by the PNG national government to uphold the referendum results and the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
