News and Public Notices

The decision by the National Parliament on Tuesday 9 June 2026 to adopt a draft sessional order on the results of the Bougainville Referendum, without the required consent of the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, amounts to a breach of the Melanesian Agreement and runs contrary to the principles of respect, good faith and partnership that underpin the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

I am disappointed in certain parts of the Prime Ministers statements, the order of the debate and the unilateral position on the negotiated majority threshold.

I warned that the resolve of the people of Bougainville would be tested by events in the National Parliament and urged all Bougainvilleans to remain calm, united, and respectful. I echo that entreaty now. I repeat that our strength remains our unity of purpose and our faith in the justice of our cause.

As the Vice President stated, the Bougainville Government will continue to engage with the National Government in good faith, despite recent attempts to subvert the Melanesian Agreement and undermine the ratification process.

The Melanesian Agreement called for international monitoring with UN support. I now call on the facilitator appointed to support development of the Melanesian Framework to activate that commitment to international monitoring and convene a meeting of international partners, representatives of the international community and the international witnesses to the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, to address the breach by the National Government of its commitments under the Melanesian Agreement and to ensure that the process and principles agreed at Burnham are honoured.

We continue to place our trust in God to protect us, and to guide all parties in good faith in the delivery of Bougainville's legitimate political destiny.

 

His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, MHR
President

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