A vote for Bougainville independence

The National Main Stories

By Delorese Talasi
IT was an emotional day for Bougainvilleans when the results of the referendum showed most people were in favour of independence.
Bougainville women’s rep and proud mother Gertrude Gaunara said she was emotional when the results were announced.
“I was watching it live on my phone. It was an emotional moment for me. I had tears of joy as I watched,” she said. “I have so much gratitude to the people who have contributed one way or the other to make this day happen for Bougainville.”
She remembers the days she used to leave her young son, now a teenager, behind to negotiate for peace with other women.
Gaunara said unity was what held Bougainvilleans together.
“A big thank you to the silent majority who have contributed immensely in bringing peace and normalcy in their areas and villages during the peak of the Bougainville crisis. Our names may have never been mentioned but you bore peace that has become a reality today,” she said.
Bougainvillean lecturer at the University of Technology Junior Tumare said it was a great relief “after a long and treacherous journey”.
“We applaud the great effort and commitment put together by various stake-holders and the international community in achieving this lifelong dream,” he said. “This is however just a beginning into finally devising a pathway forward to Bougainville’s desire of self-government.”
He called on the two governments to come up with a framework that is conducive to achieving the ideals of political self-determination once and for all.

 

9 comments

  • The Creator has Special Plan for PNG, you are missing in what the Good Lord is to do in lovely land, in this coming season, you will regret that you have made the wrong decision to leave PNG at such time like this………

  • The Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea does not allow any province to break away from PNG. It is impossible for now

  • Why both Governments to come up with a framework to achieve Political Self determination?

    They want independence because they view the current system of governance as not suitable for them since pre-independence days.

    What is there for PNG to offer?
    Let them be as John Momis has the answer to their choice of independence.

    This is not Victory for Bougainville…
    It is Victory for John Momis!??
    What’s next John Momis??
    More split in this country??

  • If there is anything PNG tops the world it is the number of languages its people speak. Some 50,000 years ago when the world spoke one language , the creater decided it was time, he puts an end to the tower of Babel then under construction in what we now know as the midle east. To each person he gave a specific place and language.
    He placed white people in the continent of Europe and called them the Caucasoids. He placed black people in the continent of Africa and called them the Negroid. He placed yellow people in the continent of Asia and called them the Mongoloids.

    When he was done, he realised 850 people remained. He then placed them in between the vast pacific and indian oceans equiped with 850 languages. He decided they occupy this land we now know as the island of New Guinea.

    Sorry Bougainville, you voted unanimously to leave this country we now call Papua New Guinea. But note we will not let you go. If we do many others will also want to go. That will break down the unity of this nation. For your information, we are now looking at options to make you a region in between Greater Autonomy and independence. We are looking at mega structures such as state governments in Australia and the USA. They are independent but remain one country.

    Danny Gonol human rights lawyer, Mt Hagen.

  • Whilst I understand, our people in Bougainville expressed their views in the show of unanimous votes for independence in the name of peace and unity, do we as a nation stand ready to allow other provinces and regions to hold referendums to decide their future.
    For me I dont want to see PNG torn apart. Im looking for like minded Papua New Guineans to say no to Bougainville getting independence. In what ever means you you can suppor in this course, olease email me.
    Danny Gonol

  • The Bougainvilleans have to know that not all Papua New Guineans were enemies to them. The issue was between BHL and landowners regarding interest benefits of Panguna Mine. And this is the underlying treat which is experienced by many mineral rich provinces. The issue is that the companies are very interested about their cuts and not the interest of landowners.
    After the vote Bougainvillea people are full of joy and praise. But they also have to think that the issue is not over. It will continue as long as the company’s interest is there.

  • Don’t Talk to much on Unity in PNG. Unity Already faded away when 20, 000 people killed. Most of them innocent people.
    For us New Generation of Bougainville, WE REALLY, REALLY HATE TO BE PART OF PNG. We want to BREAKAWAY FROM THIS COUNTRY OF PROBLEMATIC PEOPLE.
    Danny Gonol, Better Watch out.
    We already sick and tired.
    ALL IN ALL, PNG IS NOT SUPER POWER -SO CAN BE EASILY WIPE OUT ANYTIME BY THE NEW GENERATION OF BOUGAINVILLE.

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