Bougainville News Webinar Alert : The use of mobile technologies in the 2019 Bougainville referendum presents both opportunities and challenges for the future of democracy in the Pacific, Bougainville News Alert : WEBINAR – Mobile telephones on for public messaging: Did the Bougainville referendum information hotline make a difference? [6] Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Karl Claxton said there is a wide expectation Bougainville will vote to become independent. The Upe tradition used to be common across northern and central Bougainville, as well as Buka, but missionary influence stopped much of it over the past 100 years. Two weeks of voting concludes on Pacific island chain that could kick off … [1] The vote is the result of an agreement between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government. Tue 10 Dec 2019 23.55 EST First published on Tue 10 Dec 2019 23.14 EST. The islands attempted to declare independence during the formation of Papua New Guinea in 1975 – but they were ignored. 30 May 2019. By PNG correspondent Natalie Whiting in Bougainville. Some believe it could provide a future revenue source for Bougainville should it become independent. President MOMIS also thanked the National Government for their commitment to complete the process and the end result must be a total and lasting peace for the people of Bougainville. France charges Epstein ex-associate over sex crime claims. Share on Facebook ; Share on Twitter; Share via Email; People queue to vote in Buka on 25 November 25 in a … Bougainville had a nine-year separatist war that began in 1988, fuelled by economic grievance. The Bougainville Referendum Commission today acknowledged the tireless effort of nearly 1,500 polling officials as regular polling for Bougainvilleans comes to an end across a record 829 locations in three countries. Voters gather at a polling station in Buka to cast their ballot in the Bougainville independence referendum. Now their longed-for opportunity to vote on independence will occur on Nov. 23. The PNG army and the BRA blamed each other. Big … Bougainville News Feature : If we have all learnt anything from Panguna, it is this. The referendum question was a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea and full independence; voters voted overwhelmingly for independence. 31 October 2019. The vote in PNG’s autonomous region of Bougainville, formerly the site of a bloody civil conflict, will run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 7, and could trigger separation negotiations to create a new nation in the strategic waters of the Pacific.”, Background to the 60 Minutes Story to be broadcast Sunday 17 November, Why is China on the move in the South Pacific? Replica of a traditional stake-house built by men from Toboroi, Bougainville Island. “There’s tears, tears of joy, raw emotion – people have waited a long time, The pen is always mightier than the sword.”. Following a bloody civil war that ended two decades earlier, 98% of some 250,000 Bougainvilleans voted for independence in December 2019 in a historic but non-binding referendum. Western nations are looking to rein in China’s influence in the increasingly contested Pacific, where it has recently drawn away two of Taiwan’s allies, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands, triggering a strong rebuke from the United States. Toroama-Nisira government passes 2021 Budget. The violence in Bougainville began in the late 1980s, triggered by conflict over an enormous opencast copper mine at Panguna. Now their longed-for opportunity to vote on independence will occur on Nov. 23. Formerly a senior editor at ABC News in Sydney, he has also covered the Asia-Pacific region as a foreign correspondent. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting) The assassination sparked outrage in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. Posted … Sat 23 Nov 2019 22.55 EST Last modified on Mon 25 Nov 2019 00.53 EST From 1885 to 1918 Bougainville was part of the German colony New Guinea. Part 2 Report and pictures from Ben Bohane. About sharing. The ABG President, Chief DR JOHN MOMIS was lost for words after the results were declared by the Chair of the Bougainville Referendum Commission this afternoon. Prehistory. December 23, 2020. … The vote is not binding and the Government of Papua New Guinea has the final say on what becomes of Bougainville in the event of voters choosing independence. News and Public Notices . The 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement ended the deeply divisive nine year conflict (1988-1997) that lead to the deaths of approximately 20,000 people, or about 10% of Bougainville… Share page. Voters take part in a non-binding independence referendum in Kunua Community, Bougainville, on November 29, 2019. 300519MAGISTRATE CALLS FOR COMMITMENT New Dawn FM News Bougainville senior Magistrate based in Arawa LUKE KERIA has called on the people of Bougainville for commitment towards Bougainville's future. The second source said the West wanted to limit China’s engagement with what could soon be the world’s newest nation, strategically located in waters separating Asia and the Americas. Bougainville voted yes to becoming the world's newest nation. The funding shortfall emerged early this year amid preparations, overseen by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, to register the votes of 300,000 people, most of them spread over the main island of Bougainville, nearby Buka and other outlying islands. 20 Nov 2019. [5] The referendum was delayed again to 23 November at the request of the Bougainville Referendum Commission to ensure the credibility of the referendum roll so more people can vote, most of the promised funding not having been sent by the national government. … Bougainville independence hopes rise as vote counting begins. The young Upe men can remain isolated from their communities for several years as they learn about culture, medicine, hunting and other skills. Bougainville independence hopes rise as vote counting begins. Share page. But more than 40 U.N. staffers and over 100 international observers helped oversee a process that Claudio said had gone remarkably well. The mine was a huge export earner for Papua New Guinea, but many in Bougainville felt they got no benefit and resented the pollution and disruption to their traditional way of living. “Now, at least psychologically, we feel liberated,” said John Momis, president of the regional autonomous government. He said election officers hiked for two hours into the jungle to collect the votes. BUKA / ARAWA, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, Nov 13 2019 (IPS) - The people of Bougainville, an autonomous region in eastern Papua New Guinea (PNG), have aspired to self-government for more than a century. Chairman Philip Miriori and its former chairman Lawrence Daveona … The people of Bougainville, an island group in Papua New Guinea, have voted overwhelmingly for independence. Boys as young as 10 and young men of voting age, all wearing the woven Upe hats of initiation that adorn the centre of Bougainville’s flag, made a fleeting appearance to cast their ballot. The final say would then go to lawmakers in the Papua New Guinea Parliament. The referendum was non-binding – meaning independence won’t happen automatically. This new appointment has been gazetted under ABG Gazette NUMBER 43 of 2019… Do you agree for Bougainville to have: (1) Greater Autonomy (2) Independence? We have not learnt enough. Theodore Miriung was elected premier of the Bougainville transitional government in 1995. BUKA / ARAWA, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, Nov 13 2019 (IPS) - The people of Bougainville, an autonomous region in eastern Papua New Guinea (PNG), have aspired to self-government for more than a century. He also thanked the Donor partners, International organizations that observed the polling and the count the UN team, High Commissioners of Britain, Australia, New Zealand and many who were part of the peace process on Bougainville. BREAKING NEWS. Read More. Bougainville News Webinar Alert : The use of mobile technologies in the 2019 Bougainville referendum presents both opportunities and challenges for the future of democracy in the Pacific, Bougainville News Alert : WEBINAR – Mobile telephones on for public messaging: Did the Bougainville referendum information hotline make a difference? But according to research by Australia’s Lowy Institute, Bougainville self-reliance would at best be years away. The PNG minister for Bougainville affairs, Puka Temu, said “the outcome is a credible one” – but asked that voters “allow the rest of Papua New Guinea sufficient time to absorb this result”. [7] In October 2018, former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern was appointed to chair the Bougainville Referendum Commission, which is responsible for preparing the referendum.[8]. “There have been dancing troupes and whole communities getting together.”. December 21, 2020. He said that the people have spoken through the votes and the outcome will not be different. The 98% result is above pre-referendum predictions – most experts expected the figure to be around 75% – 80%. Now begins the gold rush. ” That’s my dream, to go and rebuild, We need the best policies, the best laws, to be the best country. News and Public Notices The latest from across Bougainville. The gender of the voter could not be determined, Outside the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, in PNG provinces, and Solomon Islands and Australia, Bougainville Referendum 23 Nov News : Sixty Minutes visits Bougainville to ask why is China on the move in the South Pacific? VOICE OF BOUGAINVILLE. Complicating the voting process were the limited communications throughout the region and the traditional way many people live, including not owning any photo identification. 300519MAGISTRATE CALLS FOR COMMITMENT New Dawn FM News Bougainville senior Magistrate based in Arawa LUKE KERIA has called on the people of Bougainville for commitment towards Bougainville's future. close. Share. image … … ... told news agency AFP that "happiness was an understatement". A furious member told New Dawn FM this afternoon … 1,096 were classed as informal, or void. NEW DAWN FM NEWS THE President for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Ismael Toroama says even though the Bougainville Consultation team and the JSB did not meet, the JTT was able to make a number of resolutions. All across the Pacific region of Bougainville, people have voted in a historic referendum to decide if they want to become the world’s newest nation by gaining independence from Papua New Guinea. The referendum was a result of a 2001 agreement between the government of Papua … He said that the people have spoken through the votes and the outcome will not be different. News and Public Notices The latest from across Bougainville. 311019 NRI PRESENTS ... NEW DAWN FM NEWS Bougainville's Provincial Magistrate, BRUCE TASIKUL has called on the people of Bougainville especially leaders to stop corruption if Bougainville wants Independence. image copyright Jeremy MILLER / Bougainville Referendum Commission. The affected voters got a chance to cast their ballots elsewhere. 30 October 2019. Share. China’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on whether it was involved in discussions to assist in the referendum. Bougainville will hold a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea from 23 November 2019, a vote that is tipped to create the world’s newest nation. Following a bloody civil war that ended two decades earlier, 98% of some 250,000 Bougainvilleans voted for independence in December 2019 in a historic but non-binding referendum. by EMTV Online 11/12/2019 7313. The number of voters is 206,731. Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, stated, upon the announcement of the referendum’s results, that Bougainville is not prepared for independence. The referendum is nonbinding, and a vote for independence would then need to be negotiated by leaders from both Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. People voted overwhelmingly for independence (97.71%) in what was widely regarded to be a successful process with an informed and engaged citizenry. One estimate cited by the Lowy Institute says Bougainville would only have 56% of the revenue needed to be self-reliant. @AdrianaAdri09 @ahawatson @GordonPeake @Jezzamiller. In late 2019, a non-binding independence referendum was held with 98.31% voting for independence rather than continued autonomy within Papua New Guinea. ... News Agencies. During this time, they wear the tall, woven Upe hats that hide their hair and are forbidden to be seen by women. Armed rebel groups in CAR form coalition ahead of polls. pic.twitter.com/mlOchQpiJ1, — 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) November 14, 2019, The Bougainville visit by the 6 man 60 minutes team was managed by Zhon Bosco Miriona , Steven Tamiung and Colin Cowell from Bougainville Experience Tours Arawa see Part 3 below, Main agenda was a link with China in the Pacific and Bougainville, Picture below Steven Tamiung with the 60 Minutes Crew, Part 1 U.S. edges China out of race to fund Bougainville independence vote. close. Bougainville News Feature : If we have all learnt anything from Panguna, it is this. NEW DAWN FM NEWS The Bougainville Referendum Commission today released the final Referendum enrolment and voter turnout figures. by Lillian Keneqa 16/08/2020 16/08/2020 0 657. Copy link . Pajomile Minaka, from Bougainville’s southern region the 36-year old, who was a child during the conflict , told Reuters he was taking a law course to equip himself to help rebuild his homeland. The results were announced in the town of Buka by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission. The new country – should it happen – would be small, with a land mass of less than 10,000 sq km (slightly larger than Cyprus, and slightly smaller than Lebanon). Polls on the Pacific island chain of Bougainville have closed to end two weeks of voting in a landmark referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea (). Bougainville Referendum News : Regular voting now complete with overwhelming vote expected in favour of independence but the birth of a separate nation may take many years to achieve ” Experts believe people the 250,000 to 300,000 people of Bougainville will vote overwhelming in favor of independence ahead of the other option, which is greater autonomy. Likewise, its population would be one of the world’s smallest – slightly smaller than Pacific neighbour Vanuatu, and slightly bigger than Barbados. Of the 181,000 ballots, almost 98% were in favour of independence. But the process of becoming a separate nation could take years to achieve. The United States, along with Australia, New Zealand and Japan, helped plug the funding gap of 7.1 million kina ($2 million), according to a breakdown of funding arrangements provided to Reuters by the Bougainville Referendum Commission. Of those: 176,928 voted for independence Nevertheless, the landslide victory will put pressure on PNG to grant Bougainville independence. “China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and respects the independent choices of people in all countries,” it said in a statement. He said nearly 98 percent for Independence is a huge testimony of what the people of Bougainville want for their future. The two governments have provided the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) with more detailed information on the two referendum choices: greater autonomy and independence. [9], Part 3 The Bougainville visit by the 6 man 60 minutes team was managed by Zhon Bosco Miriona , Steven Tamiung and Colin Cowell from Bougainville Experience Tours Arawa. Bougainville News Alert : President Toroama reports on 100-days progress : Bougainville News : Reflections of memory and reality , there is rhyme, reason and ritual to hunting, gathering and fishing. 23 Nov 2019 The ... John Momis, Bougainville regional president, cautioned excited voters on Saturday that the referendum was only one step in a long process and urged patience. Claudio said that giving Upes a chance to vote at male-only polling stations was one of many referendum firsts. Sat 23 Nov 2019 22.55 EST Last modified on Mon 25 Nov 2019 00.53 EST From 1885 to 1918 Bougainville was part of the German colony New … People living in an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea voted overwhelmingly in favor of seceding from the Pacific island country and forming their own nation, results of a nonbinding referendum showed Wednesday. 301019SMLOLA SAYS THAT THEY ARE READY TO TALK WITH ABG NEW DAWN FM NEWS The leaders of the Panguna Special Mining Lease Osikayang Land Owners Association are ready to talk with the ABG on how they can support the government fund the future of Bougainville after referendum. The Autonomous Bougainville Government has passed a total budget of over K390million for the 2021 financial year. The referendum is a key part of a 2001 peace agreement that ended a brutal civil war in which at least 15,000 people died in the cluster of islands to the east of the Papua New Guinea mainland. The Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) was established through the BRC Charter, issued by the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea on 30 August 2017, signed in the presence of delegates from both governments of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville. In total, 181,067 ballots were cast. Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape is currently reminding Bougainville that the November-December 2019 referendum was non-binding on Papua New Guinea. Condolence message on passing of Late Sir Mekere Morauta, KGMC, MP. Chief Referendum Officer Mauricio Claudio said there had been long queues and high enthusiasm at many of the 828 polling places. The President Momis mentioned the people of Bougainville that despite so many problems they have faced in the past kept their faith for the future of Bougainville as clearly demonstrated by their vote. We have not learnt enough. 23 November 2019. An independence referendum will be held in Bougainville between 23 November and 7 December 2019, with results declared around 20 December. 270919PRIVILEGE FOR BOUGAINVILLE SAYS MOMIS NEW DAWN FM NEWS The people of Bougainville are privileged to have a once in a lifetime opportunity to decide their political future in the referendum. People were chanting and danced in circles beneath a Bougainville flag nearby to welcome the handful of election monitors, and Upe initiates, as the village prepared to vote. Yet in remains in pockets among the Wakunai peoples and some isolated villages we visited inland from the west coast. 28 September 2019. Even 15 youth who live in the jungle and wear bright Upe hats as they undergo traditional training to become men had the chance to vote. Pacific island once ravaged by fierce fighting expected to overwhelmingly back independence from Papua New Guinea. The AFP news agency reported joyous scenes when … In his address to the people who were present at the Hutjena Counting Centre, President Momis thanked the people for giving his ABG the clear mandate to consult with the National Government on the wishes of the people. Bougainville sits in the same island chain as Solomon Islands, despite being part of PNG. We are reborn.”. Bougainville sits in the same island chain as Solomon Islands, despite being part of PNG. The Pacific island chain of Bougainville has begun voting in a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG).. More than 1,000 people waited on … Satoru Kutsukake first arrived in Bougainville in May of 1987 as an idealistic 28-year-old as part of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, the Japanese version of the Peace Corps. Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape is currently reminding Bougainville that the November-December 2019 referendum was non-binding on Papua New Guinea. Even in colonial times, Bougainville was an outpost. “During polling we’ve witnessed a festive and joyous mood,” he said. Polls close in Bougainville referendum on independence from PNG. One Bougainvillian, nursing graduate Alexia Baria, told news agency AFP that “happiness was an understatement”. Four hundred and eighty two voters (482) from the Preliminary roll were added to the final … 221119TWO FORMER FIGHTERS RECONCILE ON THE EVE OF POLLING NEW DAWN FM NEWS Two Bougainville’s political hardliners and fighters who were separated due to their differences finally reconciled in a public ceremony in Arawa. This Sunday, a special #60Mins investigation revealing the communist superpower’s soft invasion of Australia’s island neighbours. Although the PNG government was against independence, and does not have to accept the result, the huge mandate will make it hard to ignore. Share page. 11 December 2019. 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