PM vows to back Toroama

The National Main Stories

PRIME Minister James Marape has pledged his support for Ishmael Toroama after he was elected President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville yesterday.
“In the coming weeks, I will meet with the President-elect to discuss the next steps with a view to convening a meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body to affirm our mutual commitment to peace and the way forward,” he said.
Marape also thanked outgoing president Dr John Momis for “his undying and untiring efforts for people empowerment in Bougainville and greater PNG”, saying his “legacies and ideologies will live on.’’
Marape also congratulated all those who won seats and thanked those who contested but lost, and the people of Bougainville for the peaceful election.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in PNG Gianluca Rampolla said the UN was committed to working with Toroama and supporting the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
“The UN also look forward to working with the new members of the Bougainville House of Representatives and the people of Bougainville,” he said.
“The United Nations in PNG congratulates the people of Bougainville for their active participation in the 2020 ABG general elections. Throughout the process, Bougainvilleans exhibited deep rooted respect for human rights and democratic principles and demonstrated a profound commitment to peace.”

3 comments

  • PM JM
    Listen to their constitutional right on Independence.
    98 % of AROB want Independence. Give it to them.

  • PMJM will work with the newly elected President towards greater autonomy for Arob. Independence is out of the equation.

  • Yes, people voted for independence, this vote is not binding meaning, they won’t become a separate country immediately, the vote for independence will be negotiated as contained in the current agreement. This negotiation will resume once ABG gets their new government in order. The fact is that there is no clause in the national constitution for granting independence to provinces that want to break away, it only allows for greater autonomy and negotiation is likely to follow this path way.

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