Much work left before referendum

 BOUGAINVILLE’s poli­ti­cal destiny is something that cannot be arrived at simply by a strong desire for autonomy and self-determination devoid of any evidence of fiscal self-reliance and lasting peace.

Although, the date for a re­­ferendum to determine Bou­­gainville’s future poli­ti­cal status has to be set bet­ween 2015 and 2020, the reality is that a lot of groundwork needs to be done first. 

This has been highlighted by Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis at a recent mee­ting of the Joint Supervisory Body. This body is tasked with preparing Bougainville for any eventuality in the five years from 2015.

The Papua New Gui­nea Government and the ABG need to convince themselves on certain indicators of the island’s preparedness to call the ref­er­endum. These include three basic prerequisites: A convincingly successful weapons disposal programme;  good governance (this should include the operations of the regional, district and local level governments); and a satisfactory level of fiscal self-reliance.

The weapons disposal pro­gramme, under the supervision of the UN Observer Mission has been completed albeit with some claims of illegal weapons still at large.  The Bougainville Constitution and the establishment of the autonomous government had established district and local level administrative structures which are in operation but still need more work to achieve good governance satisfactory to both parties of the peace agreement.  

The question of fiscal self-reliance cannot be dis­cussed without mining and specifically the closed Panguna mine although some maintain that Bougainville’s agriculture sector can achieve for it a degree of self-sufficiency. If given the needed financial and technical support, the island’s cocoa industry in particular can bring in the desperately needed revenue. Although fully supportive of the planned referendum, Momis wants Bougainvilleans to be realistic.A lot of work needs to be done before the referendum to take place. And even more work is needed if Bougainville so chooses to become independent. For now the two governments will have to work to­wards and agreed date to hold the referendum with a checklist in hand to take away items of progress along the way.  It is a lot of work, especially from Bougainville’s perspective.

Self-determination was in some respects brought upon the island although there may have been a desire by some Bougainvilleans to break away from the rest of the country from the days leading to PNG’s independence. Sentiments promoted through early self-determi­nation movements such as the Mataungans in East New Britain and Papua Besena in the Southern region may have struck a similar chord in Bougainville. 

However, the 10-year conflict beginning with the shutting down of Panguna mine in 1989 has resulted in a greater resolve and a perhaps a valid rationale for Bougainville to seek greater autonomy and self-determination. Thus, the resultant Bougainville Peace Agreement, signed in Arawa on Aug 30, 2001.

The agreement provides for the right, guaranteed in the National Constitution, for a referendum among Bougainvilleans’ on Bougainville’s future political status. The choices available in the referendum will include a separate independence for Bougainville.

According to this agreement the actual date of the referendum will be set taking account of standards of good governance and the implementation of the weapons disposal plan.

The outcome of the referendum will be subject to ratification of the National Parliament.

Although Momis has on more than one occasion, ex­pressed disappointment over the rather slow progress in preparations for referendum, he was pleased to see some “serious work” done now.

With a greater degree of understanding now established between the two governments, the JSB is now better placed to monitor progress made in preparations for referendum.  

Regular dialogue and assessments on weapons disposal and good governance would help both governments monitor and determine Bougainville’s preparedness for the big decision anytime from 2015.

Bougainville and Papua New Guinea must be prepared well for the watershed event.