Recent referendum clearly shows that the people of Bougainville were voted for independence. 97.7 percent of voters choosing independence from Papua New Guinea. Overall 85 per cent voters participated in the referendum and voting was continued for three weeks.
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| POLITICAL MAP OF PAPA NEW GUNIEA (IN CIRCLE : BOUGAINVILLE) |
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :
Papa New Guinea with current population of about nine million, consists of diverse regions, islands, languages and cultural groups. it has an history of colonial past and gained independence from Australia in 1975. PNG(Papa New Guinea) is a colonial creation with artificial borders with Indonesia in west and Australia in south and Solomon islands in east, with diverse cultural groups. At the end of 20th century, many pacific islands started succession movements and some islands attained freedom.
Bougainville's quest of independence was reasonable because of its cultural, geographical distinctiveness. Coming to its history Bougainville was German's Protectorate in 1886 along with other islands of Solomon archipelago. The present day boundary between Bougainville and Solomon islands was created by signing 1899 tripartite convention among Germany, the UK and the United States of America.. Bougainville was under control of Australia during World War II occupied from German Papa New Guinea. Secured its independence in 1975 from Australia became an integral part of Papa New Guinea.
PANGUNA : A RESOURCE CURSE!!!!!
Panguna is a copper mine and very important factor for the rise of nationalism in the natives of Bougainville. Australian administration evacuated the people near mine areas and encouraged the mine construction. In 1967, the administration signed an agreement with the mining company BOUGAINVILLE COPPER LIMITED (BCL), 2/3rd was owned by COINZINC ROITINTO OF AUSTALIA. People opposed this move and massive protests were taken place by blocking roads and crying 'WE WEEP FOR WHAT IS BEING DONE TO OUR LAND' (Griffin et al., p. 153).
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| PANGUNA MINE (CREDITS: CATHERINE WILSON) |
CIVIL WAR
Bougainville Revolutionary Army closed the mine and started secessionist war against the PNG. By the end of 1988 developmental works in the region stopped and political stability disintegrated. The premier of Bougainville, Joseph Kabui and John Momis, the MP of Bougainville in the PNG parliament supported Bougainville Revolutionary Army(BRA) and accused PNG army over the human rights violation against the natives in Bougainville. In 1990, PNG imposed a blockade on Bougainville. in the response of this move Francis ona declared independence of Bougainville and formed interim government and violence continued in the island. Opposition to Ona by militant Nasioi who commanded mine site. This fractured the secessionist movement for the personal interests and gains. many villages and clans divided and responsible for many deaths in island. After the persistent violance prominent leaders like joseph kabui refused to support Francis Ona and this resulted in the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), in 2001. PNG withdrew its troops from the island. As part of the BPA, an independence referendum was to be held at some time in 2010s.
TOWARDS REFERENDUM . . .
After gradual consolidation of peace, guided by UN and external Peace groups was concerned about the political future of the island. Bougainville was initially an autonomous political entity and then in 2005 it attained autonomous region status and assured to held referendum within fifteen years, just like in the case of New Caledonia and France. The economy revived, politics stabilized somewhat and imputes towards the referendum was started in late 2010s. Due to the lack of funds the preparation for referendum was delayed. At last the referendum was approved in 2019 November. people of Bougainville chooses the independence over greater autonomy.
Despite the success in the referendum and subsequent euphoria, Bougainville has many challenges and difficulties to face for the succession. It shares certain characteristics of newlyformed state of Timor Leste - a bad infrastructure, lack of leadership and a recent history of extreme social disruption and a mineral resource base, no proliferation of aid donors and UN agencies, and no remittance. Yet finds itself in a complex and critical geopolitical region that has attracted global powers. New Caledonia rejected independence in referendum in 2020. Bougainville is swimming against a global tide where secession face many challenges.
reference :
- Connell, J. (2020). "Bougainville : a new Pacific nation?" Small States & Territories, 3(2), 375-396.