Bougainville’s Referendum

The National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have initially agreed to set a target date for June 15^th, 2019.

However, the processes that will lead up to it are yet to be established by both the National Government and the ABG.

Chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, Bertie Ahern, said there has to be a certainty of funding to fund the referendum and the Constitutional Regulations must be in place before progress is made.

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.