Latest news with #BougainvilleIndependence
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Bougainville independence talks underway at military camp near Christchurch
Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon Bougainville independence talks have started just outside of Christchurch, in New Zealand's South Island, between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. In 2019, 97.7 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence. The referendum, though mandated by the 2001 Peace Agreement, was not binding. Both governments are now debating the rules by which the results of a referendum on independence are tabled in parliament. The discussions at Christchurch's Burnham Military Camp focus on finalising the process to bring the referendum results before PNG's Parliament. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape called Burnham the spiritual home of the Bougainville peace process . The military camp hosted pivotal talks in 1997 that helped end the Bougainville civil war. Marape said the Era Kone Convenant committed both governments to present the referendum before PNG's parliament in 2025. Bougainville has stated that it expects to be independent by 1 September 2027. It has established a Constitution Commission and included it within the region's autonomous parliament. The Christchurch meetings are closed to the media. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade refused to share with RNZ Pacific a list of who will be attending the meeting.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Burnham Camp - the spiritual home of Bougainville peace process
ABG President Ishamel Toroama, sitting front (2nd left), with Sir Jerry Mateparae and PNG Prime Minister James Marape at the Joint Consultation Moderator Meeting. 17 March 2025 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, says next week's meeting involving the governments of PNG and Bougainville is a milestone in the ongoing post referendum consultations. In 2019 an overwhelming percentage of Bougainvilleans, 97.7 percent, voted for independence from PNG. The referendum, though mandated by the 2001 Peace Agreement, was not binding. The week of meetings is being held at New Zealand's Burnham army camp, near Christchurch. In a statement Marape said Burnham is widely regarded as the spiritual home of the Bougainville peace process, after the role it played in hosting talks in 1997 that led to a cease fire in the civil war and the eventual Peace Agreement. PNG Bougainville Premier Gerard Sinato signs the "Burnham Declaration" in 1997, which set in motion an end to the civil war. Photo: AFP He said the Burnham talks will focus on finalising the process to bring the referendum results before the National Parliament. Marape said the Era Kone Convenant committed both governments to present the referendum before parliament in 2025. He said these steps will determine how that happens and what constitutional steps must be followed and that this will be grounded in mutual respect, dialogue and the spirit of reconciliation. Teams of officials from both the PNG and Bougainville Governments were expected to arrive in Christchurch today.
