Latest news with #Bougainvilleans
Asia Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Asia Times
How China is paving way for Bougainville independence
Bougainville, an autonomous archipelago currently part of Papua New Guinea, is determined to become the world's newest country. To support this process, it's offering foreign investors access to a long-shuttered copper and gold mine. Formerly owned by the Australian company Rio Tinto, the Panguna mine caused displacement and severe environmental damage when it operated between 1972 and 1989. It also sparked a decade-long civil war from 1988 to 1998 that killed an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 civilians and caused enduring traumas and divisions. Industry players believe 5.3 million tonnes of copper and 547 tonnes of gold remain at the site. This is attracting foreign interest, including from China. Australia views Bougainville as strategically important to 'inner security arc.' The main island is about 1,500 kilometers from Queensland's Port Douglas. Given this, the possibility of China's increasing presence in Bougainville raises concerns about shifting allegiances and the potential for Beijing to exert greater influence over the region. Bougainville is a small island group in the South Pacific with a population of about 300,000. It consists of two main islands: Buka in the north and Bougainville Island in the south. Bougainville has a long history of unwanted interference from outsiders, including missionaries, plantation owners and colonial administrations (German, British, Japanese and Australian). Two weeks before Papua New Guinea received its independence from Australia in 1975, Bougainvilleans sought to split away, unilaterally declaring their own independence. This declaration was ignored in both Canberra and Port Moresby, but Bougainville was given a certain degree of autonomy to remain within the new nation of PNG. The opening of the Panguna mine in the 1970s further fractured relations between Australia and Bougainville. Landowners opposed the environmental degradation and limited revenues they received from the mine. The influx of foreign workers from Australia, PNG and China also led to resentment. Violent resistance grew, eventually halting mining operations and expelling almost all foreigners. Under the leadership of Francis Ona, the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) fought a long civil war to restore Bougainville to Me'ekamui , or the 'Holy Land' it once was. Australia supported the PNG government's efforts to quell the uprising with military equipment, including weapons and helicopters. After the war ended, Australia helped broker the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001. Although aid programs have since begun to heal the rift between Australia and Bougainville, many Bougainvilleans feel Canberra continues to favor PNG's territorial integrity. Bougainville school children display a giant flag of Bougainville during the 2005 celebration of the swearing in of the new assembly for the island. Photo: Lloyd Jones / AAP via The Conversation In 2019, Bougainvilleans voted overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum. Australia's response, however, was ambiguous. Despite a slow and frustrating ratification process, Bougainvilleans remain adamant they will become independent by 2027. As Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, a former BRA commander, told me in 2024: We are moving forward. And it's the people's vision: independence. I'm saying, no earlier than 2025, no later than 2027. My benchmark is 2026, the first of September. I will declare. No matter what happens. I will declare independence on our republican constitution. Bougainville leaders see the reopening of Panguna mine as key to financing independence. Bougainville Copper Limited, the Rio Tinto subsidiary that once operated the mine, backs this assessment. The Bougainville Autonomous Government has built its own gold refinery and hopes to create its own sovereign wealth fund to support independence. The mine would generate much-needed revenue, infrastructure and jobs for the new nation. But reopening the mine would also require addressing the ongoing environmental and social issues it has caused. These include polluted rivers and water sources, landslides, flooding, chemical waste hazards, the loss of food security, displacement, and damage to sacred sites. The newly built gold refinery in Arawa town. Photo: Anna-Karina Hermkens, Author provided via The Conversation (no reuse) Many of these issues have been exacerbated by years of small-scale alluvial mining by Bougainvilleans themselves, eroding the main road into Panguna. Some also worry reopening the mine could reignite conflict, as landowners are divided about the project. Mismanagement of royalties could also stoke social tensions. Violence related to competition over alluvial mining has already been increasing at the mine. More broadly, Bougainville is faced with widespread corruption and poor governance. The Bougainville government cannot deal with these complex issues on its own. Nor can it finance the infrastructure and development needed to reopen the mine. This is why it's seeking foreign investors. Historically, China has a strong interest in the region. According to Pacific researcher Anna Powles, Chinese efforts to build relationships with Bougainville's political elite have increased over the years. Chinese investors have offered development packages contingent on long-term mining revenues and Bougainville's independence. Bougainville is showing interest. Patrick Nisira, the minister for commerce, trade, industry and economic development, said last year the proposed Chinese infrastructure investment is 'aligning perfectly with Bougainville's nationhood aspirations.' The government has also reportedly made overtures to the United States, offering a military base in Bougainville in return for support reopening the mine. Given American demand for minerals, Bougainville could very well end up in the middle of a battle between China and the US over influence in the new nation, and thus in our region. Looking for gold on the Panguna mine tailings. Photo: Anna-Karina Hermkens via The Conversation There is support in Bougainville for a future without large-scale mining. One minister, Geraldine Paul, has been promoting the islands' booming cocoa industry and fisheries to support an independent Bougainville. The new nation will also need new laws to hold the government accountable and protect the people and culture of Bougainville. As Paul told me in 2024: […]the most important thing is we need to make sure that we invest in our foundation and that's building our family and culture. Everything starts from there. What happens in Bougainville affects Australia and the broader security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. With September 1 2026 just around the corner, it is time for Australia to intensify its diplomatic and economic relationships with Bougainville to maintain regional stability. Anna-Karina Hermkens is senior lecturer and researcher in anthropology, Macquarie University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Bougainville Independence Talks Underway At Military Camp Near Christchurch
In 2019, 97.7 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence. RNZ Pacific 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.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Bougainville Independence Talks Underway At Military Camp Near Christchurch
Article – RNZ In 2019, 97.7 percent of Bougainvilleans voted for independence. RNZ Pacific 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.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Bougainville Independence Talks Underway At Military Camp Near Christchurch
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. © Scoop Media
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Two Decades On, New Zealand Police Continue As Advisors In Bougainville
There is certainly a will amongst local Bougainvillean people to have New Zealand police here for as long as possible, says police team leader Wayne Maurirere., RNZ Pacific Senior Journalist New Zealand Police have been providing assistance to the Bougainville community policing initiative for 20 years. This work has seen a small team – changed every year or so – liaising with community constables and advising them when appropriate. These days the team is integrated into the Bougainville Police Service but the New Zealand officers continue to play a role as team leader Wayne Maurirere told RNZ Pacific. (The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.) Wayne Maurirere: New Zealand police handed over full control. I think it was done by end of 2021 [and] part of 2022. Don Wiseman: The police partnership team is remaining there. What is the nature of the work now? Is it any different? WM: It is very similar to what it has been. We certainly have a strong focus on supporting the community police strategy, of which the auxiliary police an integral part of together with the Bougainville Police Service. DW: The people you have worked with, do they operate in a different way within the Bougainville police force? Or do they operate as a typical Papua New Guinea police person. WM: Oh, no. They certainly offer a bit different to mainland Papua New Guinea police. Definitely, a community focus in Bougainville. Going back to the Peace Agreement, it was the desire of the Bougainvilleans to have a police service, as opposed to a police force, because they wanted to maintain focus on community relationships, and that is still the case today. DW: I have been talking with a researcher, Dennis Kuiai. I imagine you know Dennis? WM: I have met him once. DW: Well, he has mentioned to me about how important the community policing team is to Bougainville because Bougainville has this issue – and lots of parts of Papua New Guinea do – where the crimes committed, they are a symptom of far deeper issues within Bougainvillean society, much of it going back to trauma from the Civil War. Do you see that? WM: It is certainly discussed amongst the wider community that they are still dealing with the impacts of the conflicts, and that is why they are so heavily focused on healing the community and Community Auxiliary Police being part of that healing process. DW: With the people that you are working with. Do you actively recruit them yourselves? WM: No, certainly not currently, and this has been the case since the inception of the Auxiliary Police. They are from the community, selected by leaders within the community, and their names are put forward to the Bougainville Police Service as a preferred candidate to represent that particular community. DW: What is the nature of the involvement right now? As you say, it has not changed. But what do you do? How do you work alongside Bougainville police? WM: We are here to advise them in a capability capacity. So if they have issues, currently one of the issues is abuse of alcohol and drugs. If they start to put together a response to that, they seek our advice and guidance, and we are happy to provide just from our experience in New Zealand. This has worked in New Zealand. It may or may not work here, but it is something you may want to look at. And they design the response and they implement it. And if it works, it works. If it does not, then back to the drawing table, see how they can tweak that response, and then go back up to try and deal with the issues. DW: When you look at an issue that police from New Zealand would not have any experience with, like the sorcery accusations that seem to have become rife right across Papua New Guinea, and I understand that they have suddenly got quite bad in Bougainville. What advice are you able to give there? WM: That is an interesting question because [sorcery] is a firmly held belief. It is not for us to convince them to do away with sorcery. Good heavens no, the violence associated with sorcery that is a new phenomena, and that is recently emerged. Where we are helpful in that space is providing advice and guidance around how to deal with violence, which has become a part of that sorcery belief. DW: How much longer do you think the New Zealand team will be based in Bougainville? WM: I do not know this. There is certainly a will amongst local Bougainvillean people to have New Zealand police here for as long as possible. And that decision rests with people way above my pay grade at the mfad level in New Zealand police executive level. DW: How many people have you got there? WM: Myself and five advisors. I am in Buka with one other. I have two advisors in Arawa, the central part of Bougainville and two advisors in Buin, the southern part.
