The ratification of the 2019 Bougainville referendum has triggered dispute between the Papua New Guinea Government and Bougainville leaders over whether a three-quarter parliamentary majority is required for approval.
Prime Minister James Marape says the three-quarter absolute majority – 89 MPs in the 118-member Parliament – required to ratify the referendum results is consistent with the Constitution.
“Breaking up a country is the most serious decision any parliament can make,” he said in a statement last Thursday.
“It is only proper that a super majority befitting a constitutional change should determine such a matter.
“No individual leader, no government and no region can unilaterally make that decision.
“It must be made collectively through Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.”
But Bougainville House of Representatives Speaker Simon Pentanu said the voting threshold was never agreed upon with Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat, as outlined under the Melanesian Agreement.
“We were unanimous in agreeing to the procedures relating to the tabling of the referendum result, the tabling of the post-referendum consultation report, and the procedure for debate once the statement is made by the Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
“However, we did not reach agreement on the voting majority on the motion to be put to Parliament.”
On 09 June, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Vice-President and Attorney-General Ezekiel Masatt said the voting threshold was “unilaterally crafted”.
Masatt, who is also the ABG Minister for the Bougainville Independence Mission, said: “A constitutional amendment requires a two-third majority.
“They just made it harder with a three-quarter majority.”
Last Thursday, Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama said the Parliament’s decision to endorse the voting majority breaches the Melanesian Agreement and undermines the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA).
Toroama said: “The decision by Parliament on 09 June 2026, to adopt a draft sessional order on the results of the Bougainville Referendum, without the required consent of the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, amounts to a breach of the Melanesian Agreement and runs contrary to the principles of respect, good faith and partnership that underpin the BPA.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape said he would continue to engage constructively with Bougainville leaders while maintaining the Government’s position that the constitutional process must be respected.
“I will ask them to agree on a date for Parliament to consider the referendum outcome,” he said.
“I have previously proposed 30 Aug this year, subject to the agreement of the ABG,” Marape said.
