PNG Parliament Debates Bougainville Independence

Papua New Guinea’s parliament is set to debate Bougainville’s fate after a 2019 referendum where about 97.7% voted for independence, with leaders aiming for greater self-government by 2027 and full sovereignty by 2030. The move comes after years of negotiations between Port Moresby and Bougainville, and would require ratification by the national parliament under the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement that ended a long conflict. The push for independence has roots in disputes over revenue from the Panguna copper and gold mine and a decade-long civil war that claimed thousands of lives. PNG’s prime minister has urged lawmakers and the public to approach the decision with gravity and unity, stressing that the parliament will weigh constitutional and national implications. Bougainville’s bid has long been supported by a regional independence movement, and the next steps hinge on parliamentary ratification before any move toward sovereignty can proceed.