The National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have not yet set a date for Bougainville’s Referendum.
But the process for a working dialogue has started.
Talks last week in Port Moresby between officials from the National Government, ABG and witnessed by donor partners resolved for a schedule to set the referendum date.
An initial timeline of 2019 has been set as the target year and all preparatory work for the referendum will be walked towards that year.
The Vice President of the ABG Patrick Nisira and the Minister for Bougainville Affairs Joseph Lera iterated the importance of continuous political dialogue between both governments.
More detailed discussions into the issues of weapons disposal, good governance, voter eligibility and the establishment of an independent agency to run the referendum are still needed.
It was agreed that the Joint Bougainville Referendum Committee (JBRC) will schedule its meetings every two months according to the referendum work plan.
The meeting proper for the JBRC will be held on May 4, 2016, which will be in preparation for the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting which is confirmed for May 6, 2016.
National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs acting director John Avira has also reaffirmed the date for the JSB noting that both the National Government and the ABG are eager to get into the major event for this year since its deferment from December 8, 2015.
Matters from the 2015 Kokopo JSB will be tabled along with others from recent meets for endorsement and approval at the JSB.
Minister Lera ensured the ABG and made it his responsibility to ensure that all key stakeholders work together in the preparations for the Referendum and that the all leaders, official and the public must be engaged in the ongoing dialogue.
Caption: File picture.