Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades People of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region voted in a non-binding referendum on possible independence late last year. ( Log Out /  Will this place become the world’s next country? Bougainville will begin counting votes on Tuesday in its independence referendum, officials said, amid expectations that the island once ravaged … @AdrianaAdri09 @ahawatson @GordonPeake @Jezzamiller. Bougainville News 2020 : The Bougainville referendum and the fate of Melanesia: Which Way, Big Man? Voting in the Bougainville independence referendum is done: more than 98 per cent of valid ballots favored independence. 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. The people of Bougainville have chosen overwhelmingly to become the world's newest nation in a historic referendum to break away from Papua New Guinea. The process of becoming a separate nation could take years to achieve. The people of Bougainville have chosen overwhelmingly to become the world's newest nation in a historic referendum to break away from Papua New Guinea. Bougainville Referendum Results : ‘We are reborn’: Bougainville votes 97.7 % for independence from Papua New Guinea ” That’s my dream, to go and rebuild, We need the best policies, the best laws, to … "I have confidence that both PNG and Bougainville leaders will proceed with consultations from hereon with the same resolve for a peaceful outcome and decision guided by the people’s decision through the ballot and the results as announced today," Pentanu said. The islands have a population of around 300,000, and 206,731 people enrolled to vote in the referendum. 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. It is hosted by the National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea as a record of an historic national event. The 2019 Bougainville referendum offered valuable lessons for future elections, Kerryn Baker and Thiago Oppermann write. The Bougainville Peace Agreement granted the region more autonomy, and those who opposed secession hoped the pact’s lengthy timeline — allowing for a nonbinding referendum … FILE PHOTO: Residents hold a Bougainville flag at a polling station during a non-binding independence referendum in Arawa, on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville November 26, 2019. Discussions will take place with the Papua New Guinea government to decide when – or if – the transition to full independence can begin. In December, the results of an independence referendum made it clear: 98 percent of voters in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville chose … Voters had two options – more autonomy, or full independence. The referendum was approved by the Papua New Guinea government, but the result is non-binding. We have not learnt enough. Ballot boxes are returned by boat to Buka, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.Credit:BRC/AP. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We are reborn.”. The official referendum result shows an overwhelming 98 per cent of voters have opted to leave PNG and become a sovereign nation. The end of the fighting led to the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the creation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and the promise of a non-binding referendum on independence. Residents of Papua New Guinea’s province of Bougainville have been voting in a referendum to secede from Port Moresby. A majority of voters selected independence, at 97.7 percent of the vote, with less … Last week the election results in Papua New Guinea’s autonomous region of Bougainville were announced. The only other option in … The referendum is part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) between the government of PNG and the leaders of Bougainville in August 2001. ( Log Out /  Young men in their Upe initiation hats, the symbol of Bougainville, line up to vote in the independence referendum in Teuapaii village.Credit:Ben Bohane. “There’s tears, tears of joy, raw emotion – people have waited a long time, The pen is always mightier than the sword.”. How its outcome will be handled remains unclear. The referendum is non-binding and the vote for independence will now need to be negotiated between leaders from Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. Bougainvilleans have voted overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea following the announcement of results this afternoon by the Bougainville Referendum Commission. But mining has been crippled by the war – and the distribution of revenue was one of the factors behind the conflict. The results were announced in the town of Buka by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission. Results announced on Wednesday, had the case for independence backed by 97.7 per cent of the 206,000 registered voters. "My thoughts today are with the President and all members of our Bougainville Parliament who have been steadfast in their resolve that no one drops the baton on the home stretch after the voting and counting and the announcement of the results today. Eleven Australian MPs and observers took part as election monitors during the referendum period, led by Jane Prentice. Before now, Bougainville is an Island in Papua New Guinea, but citizens of the Island have carried out a referendum which showed a landmark step towards breaking out to form their own country. Two Australian Federal Police officers were seconded to a New Zealand-led police operation to maintain security for the poll. It is the hard decisions, and the pains and rewards that has got us thus far". But according to research by Australia’s Lowy Institute, Bougainville self-reliance would at best be years away. He said that the people have spoken through the votes and the outcome will not be different. Bougainville votes with more than 97 per cent in favour of independence from Papua New Guinea in an important post-conflict referendum. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The referendum was a key part of a 2001 peace agreement that ended a civil war in which at least 15,000 people died in the cluster of islands to the east of the Papua New Guinea mainland. Although the PNG government was against independence, and does not have to accept the result, the huge mandate will make it hard to ignore. The mine was a huge export earner for Papua New Guinea but many in Bougainville felt they received no benefit and resented the pollution and disruption of their traditional way of living. He said nearly 98 percent for Independence is a huge testimony of what the people of Bougainville want for their future. At the close of the enrolment period 205,731 voters were registered to vote, with close to a 50-50 gender split. He said the government of PNG was committed to adhering to the letter and spirit of the agreement. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. He said nearly 98 percent for Independence is a huge testimony of what the people of Bougainville want for their future. Ballot boxes are returned by boat to Buka, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. Results were announced at the central counting centre at Hutjena on Buka island, by Bertie Ahern, former Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) who was appointed Chairman of Bougainville’s Referendum Commission (BRC) which has overseen the referendum process. Autonomy ) attempted to declare independence during the formation of Papua New.. 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