Category Archives: Bougainville

Independence for Bougainville

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

The Papua New Guinean government has been given more than fifteen years to convince Bougainvilleans not to break away. To this date, its efforts have been dismal. The move towards independence with the referendum vote soon to be taken has reached the point of no return. Bougainville will be independent whatever it takes. Writes Chris Baria The first time I heard the word ‘referendum’ was back in 1968 through my maternal uncle who was spending his holidays with us. I was eight years old at the time. Uncle James Rutana was the one after my mother in a family of Continue reading Independence for Bougainville→

Share Button

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

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

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?→

Share Button