PNG and Bougainville Leaders discuss referendum question
The deferred special Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting finally happened in Port Moresby yesterday between the National and Autonomous Bougainville Government leaders.
This follows from the joint resolution from the last JSB meeting that was held in Arawa in June this year to have a special meeting to discuss and resolve one of a key outstanding issue - the question (s) to be asked in the Bougainville referendum.
President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Chief John Momis, in his opening remarks stated that Bougainville is a special case and its journey to self-determination through the referendum is guaranteed in the National Constitution.
“The process of self-determination is within the parameters of the PNG Constitution and is not in contravention of any laws of the country. The people of Bougainville are committed to collaborating with the National Government in implementing the referendum in a democratized manner”, he said.
Other issues that were also discussed at the meeting included an update of the referendum, funding for the referendum and the Second Joint Autonomy review.
The meeting will continue today where both governments will settle these important issues.
According to the Bougainville Peace Agreement, both governments are required to reach joint agreement on all matters relating to the referendum on Bougainville’s political future.
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