Autonomous Bougainville Government

ABG President, Ishmael Toroama, emphasised that his government does not support Noah Musingku and his U-Vistract faction, nor do they condone their activities on Bougainville.

“I was vehemently clear on this matter when I visited Tonu with an ABG delegation last year,” the President said in a statement.

“There is no evidence to show that they are supporting Bougainvilleans through agricultural projects, homeownership schemes and subsidising school fees for students with their illegal tender, the so-called Bougainville Kina.

President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) Ishmael Toroama applauded his government MPs in a recent parliament sitting. He highlighted that September 29 this year marked the first year of the Toroama-Nisira government in office. He described the first year as an eventful one.

The President said, “In the last twelve months our government has progressed our Independence Mission from a seemingly impossible concept into a reality driven by our people in our constituencies. We have mapped out an economic roadmap and the administration is well on its way to reform.”

The event was held at Tanei Village in the Tonsu Constituency on Sunday.

On the 18^th of November 2020, the Bougainville House of Representatives passed a motion on the Bougainville Independence Mission.

This motion called upon all Bougainvilleans to make it their duty to ensure that Bougainville is prepared to attain its full sovereign powers as an independent sovereign state.

He made the announcement at the end of a successful Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting in Arawa on Friday 5th February, which he co-chaired with Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama. 

PM Marape said such early allocation was "unprecedented" and highlighted his Government's commitment to Bougainville. 

"For us to deliver K146. 7 million early, in February, is unprecedented," he said. 

"Not too many governments of the past have done this sort of thing."

Following an article in an Australian news site that pinpointed the president as a major shareholder, President Toroama clarified that his past business dealings were done as a private citizen.

“Bougainville Sustainable Timber Resources Limited was set up with the intent to bring in foreign investors to Bougainville to be involved in sustainable logging as well as alluvial gold projects,” he said in response to The Australian article.

In a recent update, he outlined that the fourth House of Representatives is on track.

“During my campaign, I outlined three basic platforms that form the basis of my Presidency; these are independence, economic revitalisation and ending corruption and improving law and order,” Toroama stated.

“These platforms appealed to the average Bougainvillean because the people demanded a change from the previous political regime and so they opted for one that could provide decisive and pragmatic leadership.  

The grants scheme is an initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, and implemented through the Bougainville Partnership’s Commodity Support Facility.

The announcement follows the completion of a first round of grants which supported 25 famers groups from 2017-2020.

Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp said the program is part of a partnership to foster agriculture and economic development in Bougainville.

“Australia is delighted to support this program’s continuation,” he said.

The reconciliation, which was approved at the March Joint Supervisory Body meeting, is targeted at former combatants and members of the PNG security forces including defence, police and correctional services.

Acting Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Col. Thomas Raivet (Rtd), said this reconciliation is critical and must happen before the referendum to ensure Bougainvilleans are free to vote in November.

Scheduled to be held on the same day as Bougainville day, the event has been moved to the first week of July.

A reconciliation ceremony between the National Government and its armed entities and the people of Bougainville and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, planned for Saturday June 15 at Panguna, will now take place on the 2^nd of July.

Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu, said the actual date will be confirmed once both the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government consult.

The Bougainville Referendum Roadshow is an initiative of the United Nations in conjunction with the ABG with the objective to meet with key stakeholders in the three regions of Bougainville.

The Roadshow will also give the leadership the opportunity to inform and engage with the people at the community level: this allows for information regarding the referendum, post referendum planning and related activities to be widely discussed.

This will all be underlined by the key message “Peace by peaceful means, Unity and Rule of Law”.