Papua New Guinea's parliament will consider the results of a 2019 referendum where 97.7% of Bougainville residents voted for independence. Years of negotiations have led to this parliamentary review, with leaders targeting greater self-government by 2027 and full sovereignty by 2030.
The parliamentary consideration marks a significant step in Bougainville's long-standing bid for independence, potentially reshaping the political landscape of Papua New Guinea and impacting regional stability.
Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville is moving closer to potential independence as the national parliament prepares to consider the results of a 2019 referendum. In that vote, 97.7% of Bougainville residents favored secession. The parliamentary review follows years of negotiations between the national and regional governments.
No date has been set for a vote in parliament, which must ratify the referendum for it to take effect. Bougainville leaders have set targets for increased self-governance by September 2027 and full sovereignty by 2030. The region's independence movement has been active for decades, fueled by historical grievances related to the Panguna copper and gold mine and a civil war that resulted in thousands of deaths. A peace agreement in 2001 included provisions for deferring an independence referendum.