BCA sworn in, mandated to lead final constitutional process
The Bougainville Constituent Assembly (BCA) was officially established and sworn in this week.
The swearing-in was necessitated by the recently concluded general elections and subsequent formation of the Fifth House of Representatives which several new members entered parliament; hence the swearing-in now reflects the current composition of the Bougainville’s elected leadership.
The Assembly comprises elected Members of the House, including the Speaker who serves as Chairman, and appointed members representing the Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC). Together, they form the body mandated to steer the final stages of Bougainville’s constitution-making process.
Alternate Chairman of the BCA, Vice President and Attorney General Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, defined the critical mandate, procedures, responsibilities of the newly established BCA.
“The role of the BCA is to manage the final stages of the constitutional making process leading to independence, and the fundamental duty of the BCA is to discuss, debate the draft independent constitution and adopt the independence constitution,” he said.
The draft constitution to be presented to the Assembly this week is the result of an extensive consultation process led by a 40-member Constitutional Planning Commission (CPC). The Commission visited every ward across Bougainville and engaged Bougainvilleans in mainland Papua New Guinea and overseas—a process that ensured broad representation and inclusivity. Some of the commissioners involved are now serving in the House and within the Constituent Assembly.
Masatt reiterated the importance of respecting the people’s voice, calling for careful restraint as the Assembly undertakes its review.
“Because the constitution came directly from the people, I urge the BCA members to seek a careful balance. While the BCA has the legal right to amend or reject the draft, members must avoid making ‘wholesale changes’ to the constitution,” he said.
Masatt also reminded members that the Assembly carries the sole constitutional authority to set Bougainville’s official Independence Date once the constitution is adopted.
“The responsibility for setting the independence date rests solely with the Constituent Assembly and nobody else. While the Leaders Consultative Forum has recommended September 1, 2027, this date must be reviewed and decided upon by the members sitting in the Assembly today,” he explained.
He further reiterated the pathways to achieving independence, emphasizing that one of the three available options is through the constitution-making process itself.
“A few weeks ago, I tried to explain to us the three options that we can use to achieve independence and one of those options is through the constitution making process and that is why we are here today,” he added.
He said Bougainville’s preferred pathway remains grounded in the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), reflecting on Bougainville’s fulfilment of its obligations under the BPA, from weapons disposal to the withdrawal of security forces, leading to the constitutional guarantee that enabled the 2019 Referendum.
“When the referendum was done, there was a requirement for consultation and Bougainville Affairs can carry this referendum results with the outcomes of the consultations and I think that it is only fair that when the Bipartisan Committee makes its report, those are the relevant documents that must go before the National Parliament on the eve of ratifying the referendum result,” Masatt said.
The newly sworn-in BCA will undergo induction on the draft independent constitution this week, facilitated by the legal drafter and the BCPC Secretariat.
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