Papua New Guinea’s Parliament has been urged to respect Bougainville’s overwhelming vote for independence while carefully weighing the constitutional and national implications of a decision on the region’s political future.
Minister for Bougainville Affairs Manasseh Makiba said this when opening parliamentary debate on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum, which saw 97.7 percent of voters choose independence and 2.3 percent favour greater autonomy.
Makiba said the debate was an opportunity for MPs to consider Bougainville’s history, the referendum result, the constitutional framework and the implications of the decision before Parliament.
He said the vote required a three-quarters majority, making it a significant constitutional and parliamentary decision.
Makiba said Bougainville deserved independence when the timing was right, while urging MPs to give careful consideration to the issues before them.
Prime Minister James Marape also stressed the sensitivity of the referendum debate, saying any outcome must be acceptable to both Bougainville and the wider Papua New Guinea.
Marape said Parliament needed to find a way to respect Bougainville’s aspiration for self-determination while protecting the unity of the country.
“Let’s find something that doesn’t hurt Bougainville’s aspiration for self-determination but at the same time assists me and future prime ministers the ability to hold this diversity called Papua New Guinea together,” Marape told Parliament.
He said question time had been suspended to allow MPs to focus on the referendum debate.
Marape said Parliament would discuss the matter further before deciding, in consultation with the Autonomous Bougainville Government leadership, when to hold the vote.
“Subject to concurrence with the autonomous Bougainville leadership, we’ll decide on a date in which we will take a vote on this one,” he said.
Member for Abau Sir Puka Temu declared his support for the Bougainville referendum during the debate, drawing on his personal ties to the region and its history.
Temu, who is married to a Bougainville woman and has three children, recalled the Sandline crisis and paid tribute to Bougainville women who showed courage during the conflict.
He said Bougainville’s history of sacrifice and perseverance must be recognised as Parliament considers the referendum result.
The 2019 referendum was a key part of the peace process following years of conflict in Bougainville. The result is now before the national Parliament for consideration and decision under PNG’s constitutional arrangements.
The debate is scheduled to continue today, with MPs expected to contribute further before Parliament determines the next steps
