Toroama continues stance to attain sovereign powers

BOUGAINVILLE President Ishmael Toroama has continued his stance of the intention of the region to attain sovereign powers and independence from Papua New Guinea.
“Our position on independence and the approval of the timeline for our political settlement (not before 2025 and no later than 2027) at the consultations places us at a very crucial point in our history,” he said.
He said the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) had declared to the national government and the international community that it would pursue attaining “full sovereign powers and independence from PNG”.
This goal will be achieved because of a culmination of preparatory activities between ABG and the national government undertaken and completed over the last 11 months.
These activities include: the signing of the joint communiqué; signing of the Sharp Memorial Agreement (dispensation of drawdown requirements); constituency independence readiness mission initiative (33 constituencies launched); progression of outstanding Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) agendas (economic and autonomous arrangements); commencement of the first joint referendum; and, continuation of drawdown of powers and functions.
Toroama said these achievements were a testament to the 97.7 per cent outcome of the referendum and the people’s aspirations for an independent Bougainville.
“However, there is still a lot more work to be done and my government will continue to progress our political agenda through continued negotiations in the JSB and Joint Consultative Body with the government of Papua New Guinea.”