The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) could consider “other options” if Parliament does not ratify the 2019 referendum results, following the tabling of the sessional order last Tuesday.
ABG Vice-President and Attorney-General, Ezekiel Masatt, said that the three-quarter absolute majority of MPs needed to ratify the referendum results, as per the sessional order tabled by Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba, was designed for failure.
Masatt, also the ABG Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission, said: “This ratification is dead.
“This Melanesian Agreement negotiations is dead in the water.
“The motion must be revoked in Parliament.
“The minister (Makiba) must bring a new motion and put the two options from Bougainville and the Government.
“Bougainville, we have been arguing for a simple majority vote from day one.
“The Government has been arguing about two-thirds majority vote.
“Put in these two options and let Parliament make a decision.
“That is the only way we will revive this Melanesian Agreement.”
Masatt asked the 45 members of the Bougainville House of Representatives last Wednesday (10 June) if they were ready to face the consequences of Parliament’s decision on the referendum results.
“We are close to the day when we will get independence through other options, and not necessarily through the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA),” he said.
“I am disappointed because we can see that the preferred option for ratification has been blocked.
“Are we ready to follow the unconventional options?
“There will be consequences if we follow other options.
“The next decision that we make has consequences and must be ready to accept those consequences.”
Masatt said the Autonomous Bougainville Government had remained true to the BPA since 2001 and the Government, including Parliament, must also do the same.
“This is not only about independence, it is about ending a war and answering the long-held cry of the people of Bougainville,” he said.
“We have remained true to the peace process, but there must come a time when we must also say enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape told Parliament last Tuesday that the ratification of the referendum results was mandated under the BPA and the Constitution.
