And still that ill-wind blows: Is the Bougainvillean referendum an expensive waste of time?

A few years back, I published an article here on PNG Echo entitled ‘An ill wind blows in Bougainville” and it seems that the wind has still not abated but is it gathering momentum? It is well-known that the potentially fatal flaw in the Bougainville Peace Agreement is that the government of PNG has the last say – it can choose to ratify independence (or whatever the outcome of the referendum) or not.  It has the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card and, by all accounts, is gearing up to use it. Just today, Prime Minister James Marape has given everyone a public Continue reading And still that ill-wind blows: Is the Bougainvillean referendum an expensive waste of time?

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The Inaugural VONC Awards

By PNG Echo To recognise outstanding achievement in matters concerning the Vote of No Confidence the committee (me) would like to make the following awards. In the category of Best Speech the winner is: KELLY NARU – the Governor of Morobe who displayed a profound understanding of the issues surrounding this vote and articulated them with a razor sharp analysis – especially in that which concerned the ‘Separation of Powers’. The Yeah Yeah Yeah award also goes to Morobe and is won by: SAM BASIL– who displayed none of the above but whose words inspired the next award. The Mispronunciation Continue reading The Inaugural VONC Awards

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