ABG welcomes PM’s assurance of referendum result going to parliament by mid-2026
The Autonomous Bougainville Government welcomes the Prime Minister’s reassurance that the Bougainville referendum result will be taken to the national parliament in the first half of 2026.
Prime Minister Hon James Marape made these remarks at the conclusion of the Joint Supervisory Body meeting held this week in Port Moresby.
“We just completed a successful JSB meeting. We are in the final leg in which the referendum result will go into parliament,” he said.
“The technical specifications of the sessional orders as well as what happens on the floor of Parliament will be properly defined in the next three months. We anticipate that before the first half of 2026 has lapsed, Parliament – possibly in the second sitting – would receive and deliberate on the result,” he said.
In 2022, the two governments had reached joint agreement through the ‘Era Kone Covenant’ that specified an agreed timeframe for the Bougainville referendum results to be tabled in the national parliament by no later than the end of 2023.
While this commitment has not been met, the Prime Minister’s renewed assurance provides an important opportunity to realign the process with the obligations already established between the two governments under the endorsed Melanesian Agreement.
ABG President Hon. Ishmael Toroama, at the conclusion of the JSB, reiterated that Bougainville has remained committed to fully honoring the Bougainville Peace Agreement and subsequent joint decisions reached between the two governments.
He reaffirmed that Bougainville continues to progress its obligations in good faith, even as the national processes move past the previously agreed timelines.
“I also want to congratulate our own people in Bougainville – thank you for taking that tough stand to make peace avenue for everyone to come to Bougainville and see it for yourself,” Toroama said.
He reiterated that Bougainville will remain committed to progressing key activities including critical preparations required under the Melanesian Agreement.
“We will progress that no matter what happens – we will progress by moving into the process that we have started – and that is the parliament will see the outcome. Whatever decision that is there, I believe it is in the wisdom of parliament.”
“Whatever give and take that you wish to have, it’s based upon our agreement,” he said, reinforcing that Bougainville’s conduct remains firmly within the constitutional framework.
President Toroama affirmed Bougainville’s commitment to realizing the democratic choice of its people.
“We have no hidden agenda — it is right at our forefront, and I have that confidence that whatever happens, we will make sure Bougainville can achieve what they have voted for.”
Bougainville continues to fulfill its obligations under jointly reached agreements with the National Government, including fulfilling its responsibilities under the Peace Agreement and driving critical nation-building work such as the development and finalization of Bougainville’s new constitution for an independent Bougainville.
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