Category Archives: Political Opinion

And still that ill-wind blows: Is the Bougainvillean referendum an expensive waste of time?

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A few years back, I published an article here on PNG Echo entitled ‘An ill wind blows in Bougainville” and it seems that the wind has still not abated but is it gathering momentum? It is well-known that the potentially fatal flaw in the Bougainville Peace Agreement is that the government of PNG has the last say – it can choose to ratify independence (or whatever the outcome of the referendum) or not.  It has the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card and, by all accounts, is gearing up to use it. Just today, Prime Minister James Marape has given everyone a public Continue reading And still that ill-wind blows: Is the Bougainvillean referendum an expensive waste of time?→

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Bougainville beware!

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The grapevine is abuzz with reports of rumblings from the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) that they want to defer next year’s ABG elections to “beyond June,” and even up to a year. By this time, the referendum for independence will be well and truly over, the votes counted and the results in. As most are expecting an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote for independence, surely the Autonomous Bougainville Government will, by then, be defunct by definition and a new interim body will be holding fort until the political way forward can be organized. No? If not, I find the expectation of the Continue reading Bougainville beware!→

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