Bougainville and Papua New Guinea struggle to find common ground

Photo:
Supplied
The Bougainville Attorney-General says the autonomous region and the Papua New Guinea government may sign an agreement on the way ahead in their push for independence.
A week of talks at
Burnham Camp
in New Zealand last week failed to produce a political agreement on implementing implement the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum.
However, further talks, again mediated by former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, are scheduled to go ahead next week.
Former NZ Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae is the independent moderator appointed to mediate a political pathway between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. 13 June 2025
Photo:
Autonomous Bougainville Government
Ezekiel Masatt told the
Post-Courier
that Bougainville "firmly rejected" PNG's renewed proposals for "free association" and "confederation".
He added that the talks cannot progress constructively until the PNG government is willing to openly pronounce the word "independence."
Bougainville put forward what it called a "Melanesian Solution" with the autonomous region being granted some sovereign powers immediately.
Former Papua New Guinea MP, Sir John Kaputin, has called for the leaders of PNG to listen to Bougainville, and for the leaders of Bougainville to be serious about their duties on behalf of their people.
Sir John was closely involved in the cease fire in Bougainville in 1998, after being appointed the special State negotiator by Sir Rabbie Namaliu.
He has told the Post Courier this week that "It's a two-way thing that leaders of Bougainville must be serious about their leadership among our people and it's up for the National Government to listen to what they are proposing." he said.
Former PNG chief secretary Isaac Lupari has called for caution on Bougainville's push for independence.
He pointed out that the national constitution does not allow for any part of the country to secede.
Lupari is quoted in the
Post-Courier
saying "the pathway for determining Bougainville's future is enshrined in our National Constitution which makes it clear that the decision-making authority in relation to the Bougainville referendum results rests with the National Parliament."

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