Papua New Guinea Tourism Minister and Vanimo Green MP Belden Namah told Parliament Tuesday to reject the ratification of the 2019 Bougainville referendum result because certain provisions outlined in the Constitution had not been complied with.
Namah told Parliament that the provisions in Section 338 (3) and Section 342 of the Constitution, including the conditions set in the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), were yet to be fully implemented.
“Section 338 and Section 342 of the Constitution have not been fully complied with and implemented, rendering this referendum process result unconstitutional,” he said.
“I believe the so-called weapons disposal exercise was done in haste to meet the approaching closing window of opportunity for the referendum to be held and was conveniently glossed over with the presence of so-called international observers or supervision.
“This is not the time for emotional decision-making.
“This Parliament must reject the Bougainville referendum result due to the fact that they have not met the conditions of the BPA and the Constitution under Section 338.”
Namah argued that the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) continued to push for independence without properly implementing the provisions outlined in the Constitution and BPA.
“Any political symbolism, language or conduct that suggests the existence of a separate military authority within Bougainville risks undermining both the peace agreement and the constitutional order of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“The BPA was founded upon demilitarisation, was founded upon reconciliation and peaceful constitutional engagement.
“Any movement towards militarisation, military symbolism or separatist military posturing is dangerous and irresponsible.
“It is therefore unconstitutional for the ABG to have its own defence force.”
He also shared his experience during the Bougainville crisis as a PNG Defence Force soldier, urging Parliament to find a proper solution to Bougainville’s independence to preserve peace in the future.
“Many who spoke before me today and who will speak later in this Parliament were not there.
“I saw young soldiers with our counterparts from the police force and the correctional services deployed into Bougainville, into dangerous and most difficult conditions.
“I saw resistance fighters who fought alongside PNG Defence Force soldiers to protect the constitutional sovereignty and territory of our country,” Namah said.
