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Bougainville Leaders Forum Recommends September 2027 For Independence
Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent
The Bougainville Independence Leaders Consultation Forum has passed key resolutions and recommended 1 September 2027 as the date for Bougainville's independence.
This recommendation comes ahead of the consultations between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Bougainville leaders led by an independent moderator, former New Zealand Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae.
In a 2019 referendum, over 97 percent of Bougainvilleans voted in favour of independence.
The vote was non-binding and required ratification by PNG's national parliament to come into effect.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by 14 representatives including President Ishmael Toroama, the Forum said the Constituent Assembly's decisions will not be influenced by the moderation process and that Bougainville leaders will define Bougainville's relationship with PNG as a sovereign nation.
"We endorse that: The work of the Constituent Assembly is NOT(sic) dependent on the moderation consultation process.
"The focus of the moderation shall be on defining the new relationship between Bougainville and PNG as two independent sovereign countries.
"The moderation process a is crucial mechanism for advancing Bougainville's independence through a peaceful Melanesian approach centred on constructive dialogue and respect.
The Forum goes further to say that the PNG national government holds no authority to veto the referendum results and is required to collaborate in implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement and referendum outcome for Independence.
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