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The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC) have begun its consultations in the international arena in the Solomon Islands.

Vice President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and alternate chairman to the BCPC Hon. Patrick Nisira, in his opening remarks at the first consultation program, acknowledged the Solomon Islands as the first port-of-call for the international consultations into the draft constitution taking into consideration the cultural and familial ties it shares with Bougainville.

“The Happy Isles is well chosen to be the first port-of-call for the international consultations into our draft Constitution considering our cultural and familial ties since time immemorial, and the support shown by Solomon Islanders to Bougainvilleans during the darkest period of our history. Tagio tumas!” he said.

The BCPC since its establishment has a mandate to consult with Bougainvilleans locally within Bougainville, nationally in other parts of Papua New Guinea and abroad as well, thus began the consultations with Bougainvilleans living in the Solomon Islands yesterday.

Mr. Nisira was accompanied by the Deputy Chairman of BCPC who is also the Attorney General and ABG Minister for Justice and Independence Mission Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, Commissioners and members of the Secretariat to visit Bougainvilleans in the Solomon Islands to work shop the first draft of the autochthonous constitution.

“Our gathering here today, while a symbolic milestone in our path towards independence, also recognizes the support which our people have always found in our southern kin,” he said.

According to Mr. Nisira, the background to this Roadmap to Independence is filled with stories of frustration, but more of little, gradual wins eventually leading to final realization of Bougainvilleans aspirations going back for many years and the roadmap, in the spirit of Melanesian consensus and cooperation, shares responsibilities between the Government of PNG and the ABG.

“BCPC was established in April 2022. It has since achieved its first major task of compiling ideas and views. With drafters, it has produced the first draft of the proposed Bougainville Constitution with a Preamble, 14 Chapters and 8 Schedules, now available to the public, will be the subject of much discourse in the next few days.”

The BCPC began in April 2022 through a BEC appointment of a 40-person commission representing North, Central and South Bougainville and since then it had conducted consultations within Bougainville, external PNG consultations in major provincial centres hosting large communities of the Bougainvillean diaspora, and the completion of six BCPC meetings which culminated in discussed views collected, analyzed and put into the draft Constitution.

He highlighted that it has been a long journey, but with every step was as important as the one behind and the one ahead and looked forward to that political future that 97.7 % of Bougainvilleans voted for, but also look back to the recent past.

“Past the Bougainville Peace Agreement to a way forward under the Wabag Joint Statement establishing BCPC and endorsement of Commissioners to frame a new autochthonous constitution for a Sovereign Independent State in Bougainville,” Mr. Nisira said.

He was pleased to state that as of May 13, 2024 BCPC’s initial consultations with Bougainvilleans within Bougainville and across mainland PNG produced a first draft of the Constitution released in May this year, further adding that the gathering in Solomon Islands was an indication of our progression forward.

“Bougainvilleans, this draft though still a work-in-progress, is that very interesting stage where all manner of ideas are gathered. From the remotest mountain top villager in Central Bougainville, to a teenager in the farthest-flung island in the Atolls, to professional young Bougainvilleans in offices and the corporate sector beyond our shores. Our gathering is the workshopping process of taking ownership of and having a personal stake in the creation of this very significant legal document,” he explained.

The commission’s second consultations started in Honiara today.

“Let it remain in the back of your minds that this is the final process before its compilation into a final draft. Now is the time to contribute directly to the document that will determine the shape and form of our new nation.”

BCPC will consider all feedback received during this period in its preparation of the Second Draft, so that a final draft Constitution will be ready by the first quarter of 2025.

Vice President Nisira reiterated that it has been the BCPC’s objective to be inclusive of all Bougainvilleans’ views, both at home and abroad, to create what will truly be the people’s voice!

“In this sense, the Constitution of the Republic of Bougainville, or whatever form the new country will eventually evolve into, is truly a constitution of the people, for the people, written by the people.”

He called on Bougainvilleans to speak openly with the commissioners and effectively bring out their views and opinions so it can be captured and processed into the final draft.

“We are the generation that will facilitate the future we all have wished for and voted for. Do not let this opportunity slip by you. Contribute as meaningfully as you can. May your contributions towards this momentous construct be inspired by a dream for a better Bougainville and be influenced by the exposure to the world beyond shores which most of your kin back home are not fortunate enough to have learned from,” Nisira added.

Bougainvilleans in Honiara can visit the BCPC team at Mendana Hotel today and tomorrow to give your views.

The first draft of the constitution is also available on the ABG website. Those who are unable to attend can send their views to bcpc.arob@gmail.com

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