Bougainville's conman 'king' still on the run as island edges closer to independence Ten years ago, ABC journalist Liam Fox met Bougainville's self … Women and children wear traditional dress at a referendum polling station in Buka, Bougainville, on November 25, 2019. IT was an emotional day for Bougainvilleans when the results of the referendum showed most people were in favour of independence. Bougainville independence high on agenda as Ishmael Toroama elected president Leanne Jorari and Ben Doherty. Preparations for the voting were peaceful, and in recent weeks once-sworn enemies have taken part in tearful reconciliation ceremonies, where arrows were snapped to symbolise the end of a vicious conflict. Yet there’s few outward signs of PTSD. The simple fact is… More than 181,000 people voted in the independence referendum in Bougainville, a group of islands that sit on one of the world's largest copper mines, off … "All along (the desire for independence) was in my blood," he said. About 207,000 Bougainvilleans are registered to vote on whether Melanesian isles will become world’s newest country. “I am so happy,” said 54-year-old Olitha Mokela. Spectators at the scene whooped and cheered, and a group of women broke into song, said Gordon Peake of the Australian National University, who attended the announcement. Joyous voters in the Pacific island chain of Bougainville cheered and sang as they flocked to the polls Saturday at the start of a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea. As a Bougainvillean and a Papua New Guinean, I am less concerned about Greater Autonomy, Independence (or the ‘Third Choice’ whatever it might be). "We just want everybody to respect our people's choice and give us what we want," he said. Why are thousands of Indian farmers protesting? Updated 2:37 AM ET, Wed December 11, 2019. A decade-long civil war in the 1990s, often referred to as the ‘Bougainville crisis’ (those familiar with the Lloyd Jones novel Mr Pip will recognise the setting) devastated the region. recent weeks once-sworn enemies have taken part in tearful reconciliation ceremonies, where arrows were snapped to symbolise the end of a vicious conflict. The referendum ballot offered a choice between independence or greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea. The civil war had in part been over a dispute about the mine's management, and some predict Papua New Guinea will be reluctant to lose access to the region's valuable natural resources. Independence for Bougainville could instantly make the islands a new front in the battle for influence being waged between China, the United States and Australia across the South Pacific. “While many are expecting an overwhelming vote for independence, what that would look in terms of building an economy and breaking away from Papua New Guinea isn’t entirely clear yet,” Al Jazeera’s Nicola Gage, reporting from the PNG capital, Port Moresby, said. On Saturday morning in Bougainville's main city Buka, at least 1,000 people gathered as polls opened, with scenes of singing and dancing as excitement grew over the possibility of independence. The referendum is a centrepiece of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, which ended the longest-running conflict in the Pacific since the Second World War. ... saying it is 'a day of shame' and party has 'failed Jewish people'" Mohin said he and other activists will begin building the region's economy, educational system, and health services, in preparation for an independent future. The choice before voters is between an enhanced version of the current autonomy arrangements or independence. Bougainville has waited a very long time for her independence, which was again expressed last year in the referendum vote, where 97.7% of the Bougainville people voted for independence. “I am going to rejoice and the bamboo band must play and I’ll dance and go and vote.”. Bougainville, formerly an Australian colonial territory, has had a fractious relationship with Papua New Guinea since joining the country in 1976. Joyous voters in the Pacific island chain of Bougainville cheered and sang as they flocked to the polls Saturday at the start of a long-awaited referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea. A referendum, 20 years in the making, is underway to decide whether the small island of Bougainville in the south west Pacific will seek full independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG). ", When asked if the issue was now resolved, he gave an emphatic "Yes.". " As we celebrate Independence Day for 2019, I want to reflect on the upcoming referendum and the future political path of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Up to 20,000 people were killed in the fighting, with thousands more displaced from their homes. Francesca Semoso, women’s representative and deputy speaker of the ABG House of Representatives, in Buka on the opening day of voting in the Bougainville independence referendum. Bougainville women’s rep and proud mother Gertrude Gaunara said she was emotional when the results were announced. An autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is aiming for independence and elected a president who shares that ambition. Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), has been inhabited by humans for at least 29,000 years, according to artefacts found in Kilu Cave on Buka Island. The mine is estimated to still hold more than five million tonnes of copper and 19 million ounces of gold – worth billions of dollars at current market prices. EX-TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has declared a landslide referendum vote backing Bougainville’s independence from Papua New Guinea. Bougainville is an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea. They are among the poorest in the southern hemisphere and the need for cash to build infrastructure, develop institutions and balance the books “creates an opportunity for actors like China to get involved”, said Jonathan Pryke of Sydney’s Lowy Institute. Toroama and his new cabinet plan to begin discussions with the PNG government on the non-binding independence referendum result in the near future. ", Eddie Mohin has been campaigning for independence for years, and hailed the day as a victory. Many factors will need to be considered -- for instance, the terms of trade, travel, and residence. “Many people fought,” said 23-year-old Jessica Ota, who was born as the war still raged. 176,928 votes for independence have been recorded out of 181,067 ballots. Their defiance was quickly suppressed, and the region was incorporated into independent Papua New Guinea, but by the end of the 1980s, tensions related to Bougainville's enormous copper … If voters do choose independence, the decision would need ratification from the PNG Parliament, where there is anxiety that Bougainville could set a precedent and spur other independence movements within the diverse country. “There’s been massive investment in terms of awareness-raising to ensure that the expectations of the voters be managed, to ensure that the understanding of the process be clear,” said Gianluca Rampolla, the United Nations resident coordinator in PNG. The non-binding referendum was part of a peace agreement forged nearly 20 years ago, which brought an end to a … The 20-year itch Bougainville has voted for independence, but may not get it The restive province of Papua New Guinea has waited since 2001 for a referendum Asia Dec 18th 2019 edition If independence is gained, she said, those lost in the crisis “would not have died for nothing”. But in a sign of hopeful cooperation with the national government, Momis was accompanied to the polling station by Puka Temu, PNG’s minister for Bougainville affairs. They wanted to make sure the issue of fighting for independence was put to rest. Bougainville has voted overwhelmingly to seek independence from Papua New Guinea. The Bougainville War, or ‘Crisis’ as the locals understate it, claimed an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 lives between 1988 and 1998. "That's all.". Bougainville Independence Day From The Guardian, (Australia) 9 September 1998. More than 1,000 people waited on Saturday morning to cast their ballots at one polling station in the main city of Buka, as others formed makeshift choirs that stomped through the streets, waving independence flags, blowing bamboo pipes and chanting in chorus. News Bougainville votes overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea . Gianluca Rampolla, the United Nations resident coordinator in PNG. Today many of Bougainville’s 206,000 eligible voters are moving towards one of 800 polling stations across the territory on its first day of voting. However, Peake cautioned that more complex work lies ahead, and that the fight has only been half won. A ceremony to announce the results of Bougainville's historic referendum opened with a chorus of the Bougainville anthem. The ex-Fianna Fail leader was … “We should not rush things, we should take our time to ensure a good outcome,” he said, adding that a final result “could be five years” away. There were failed attempts at independence then, before simmering discontent erupted into a nine-year civil war that left thousands of people dead. Next, the Bougainville and Papua New Guinea governments will need to meet and negotiate details for a new relationship. But rejection would risk rekindling former feuds and destroying the peace process. “The celebratory spirit around this particular day, I think it demonstrates the maturity of our leadership and the maturity of the people in Bougainville,” Temu said.
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