Need for more dialogue

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA in Wabag
THE Government wants a wider consultation with the rest of the country and Bougainville over Bougainville’s independence.
“We should recognise the importance of building a pathway constitutionally and where necessary,” Prime Minister James Marape said.
“The parliamentary process will shepherd the tabling of referendum results and the outcome of the consultation.
“Once the motion goes before parliament, it becomes the property of parliament.
“This will dictate the road map to signify the way.”
“Let me reiterate that the process is clear and the focus is objective and we put together the road map to be in clarity that will be beneficial for both sides. This process must not be rushed simply because the future of nations’ unity is at stake.
“The nations’ unity is at stake and it sets precedence for our country.
“We are moving into unchartered waters, there was no forerunner to handle what’s before us.
“This is a first for us in handling a unity for the country, the process must not be rushed as there is no greater challenge than dealing with the sanctity and union of country.”
The two points underpinned Marape’s message as he called for a clearer parliamentary pathway to allow for the continuation of dialogue on the processing of Bougainville’s referendum results.
He spoke as he closed the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting in Wabag, Enga, and the second joint inter-government consultation since the referendum results in 2019 when Bougainville voted heavily for independence.
“As far as the constitutional provision is concerned, with regards to one part of the country becoming independent, the Constitution is silent,” Marape said.
“In fact, there is no provision for one part of our country to be independent.
“But we have to recognise the peculiarity of Bougainville and give recognition to the constitutional provision where the Bougainville Peace Agreement was borne out of.”
Marape pointed to the need for a much wider consultation by and awareness of the people of PNG on the crucial matter as he said it involved the sovereignty of the country. “Our country was secured at the back of consultation in the early 70s until 1975, when it became a sovereign state,” he said.
“To unbind the country as a sovereign state will require almost the same process.
“I sincerely appreciate the fact that you (Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama) understand this and that the signing today also puts in significant clauses that allows PNG to go out on consultation and awareness and Bougainvilleans will be invited to participate in this forum.
“It is important for greater PNG to know what is at play and what is at stake and for us to take necessary steps to consolidate the rest of PNG.”
The Wabag JSB consultation ended with a number of resolutions that allow for continued dialogue within the given timeframe as follows:

  • TO continue to consult and develop clarity on establishing the constitutional and parliamentary pathway for the tabling referendum’s results, the outcome of the consultation to give effect to the results and the outcome of the consultations and the pathway consequential to the outcome of the parliament decision;
  • TO take action necessary to process an endpoint which is the culmination of all the activities that flows from the constitutional amendments to give effect to the national parliament decision;
  • TO take immediate action which are focused on the full implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement subject to the Constitution, with a focus on completing outstanding tasks under the pillars of the agreement, including the implementation of the Sharp Agreement to support the economic growth of Bougainville to ensure that it is in a position to effectively and efficiently manage its own economic affairs in preparation for a political settlement;
  • TO allow the Government to undertake national consultations across PNG on the outcome of the referendum, noting that constitutional amendments which would have been set in motion by the signing of this statement will need to be enacted to give effect to Bougainville’s final political status; and,
  • TO determine a political settlement no earlier than 2025 and no later than 2027 guided by an agreed joint road map.

4 comments

  • Why wasn’t that “dialogue” you’re referring to completed before the Bougainvilleans went to the polls for the referendum? Now that they have already voted and overwhelmingly decided to become and independent country of their own the PNG government comes up with the idea of conducting a wider consultation and awareness to the rest of the country. Shouldn’t this process be undertaken before the Bougainvilleans made their choices at the polls? This is just frustrating the process and will only lead to the waning of trust and confidence in the government. Did the PNG government fail in providing a third option of “greater autonomy” in addition to the two (2) they voted for – in my opinion someone didn’t think properly before asking the Bougainvilleans for a referendum vote.

  • Some people from outside of PNG and Bougainville may be dictating the Bougainville independence initiative. Its the same people who destroyed Bougainville environmentally without respect to their culture and gained economically. They are going to once again use technical approach to gain from Bougainville and PNG becomes fragile.

  • Bougainville I love and will surely miss. I love PNG so much as other 21 provinces including my province. Most of us were watching to hear from that day of referendum. People of AROB have overwhelmingly majority who wanted independence leaving behind the other 800 tribesmens of this beautiful nation of PNG. This made me cry and I ask myself why this happened and my instinct told me that it is because of our greedy and selfishness leaders elected into parliament that could no foresee the consequences of their dicision they made in his erra with their Prime Minister. Being educationed to the highest education level qualifications is an other thing and having a Wisdom to make wise dicision is an other thing. Blessed are these who have both or its better still if you have wisdom alone to live and have your being..

  • I am compel to make a statement on the hurried agenda of my own on the Bouganvillians intention to break away from the rest of the country. First, there is no provision in the Constitution for referendum. of any nature of that matter to be undertaken in PNG. The Constitution simply outlaws any separatist movement or breakaway sentiment in PNG. There is no concession for Bouganville nor for any part of the country whether Papua or New Guinea,. This country was knitted together by Somare and Momis on the foundation of a very united PNG of diverse culture and ethnicity and therefore, the founding fathers left no room for any referendum whatsoever. Referendum is not clearly provided in our constitution to resolve any political stalmate or status quo but an idea that was invented recently as a means to weave a way during the Bouganville crises. Therefore, the referendum if it is not spelled in the Constitution, then there is no legal basis to give effect to the results of the referendum so it is therefore unconstitutional. Parliament will have to ammend or cause alteration to the Constitution in order to provide for referendum as a means to deal with serious constitution matters such as breakaway sentiments in this country. If a Constituional reference or interpretation is sought by those with locus standii, I am sure we will discover that there is law that provides for referendum. If that is the case, the result of the Bouganville referendum has no Constitutional or legal basis so the Supreme Court would declare the results as void for want of law.

    Thank you, Michael M LLB student. upng

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