Bougainville takes the initiative in independence mediation

Bougainville takes the initiative in independence mediation

While Papua New Guinea and Bougainville continue the mediation process over the region's desire for independence, Bougainville's leaders are separately laying down markers of what they are expecting.

Bougainville takes the initiative in mediation over independence

By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist In recent weeks, Bougainville has taken the initiative, boldly stating that it expects to be independent by 1 September 2027. It also expects the PNG Parliament to quickly ratify the 2019 referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of Bougainvilleans supported independence. In a third move, it established a Constitution Commission and included it within the region’s autonomous Parliament. READ MOR…