Rotokas Record

PNG Parliament Debates Bougainville Independence

Bougainville's 2019 referendum, in which about 97.7% voted for independence, moves closer to realization as Papua New Guinea's parliament begins considering ratification, with leaders aiming for greater self-government by 2027 and full sovereignty by 2030 amid long-standing disputes over resource revenue and the legacy of a civil conflict. The process follows a 2001 peace deal that deferred independence and hinges on ongoing negotiations between Bougainville and the central government, with no immediate vote date set.