Bougainville: Referendum Results Ratification Dues 23 June 2023

 


In 2019, the people of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence in a historic referendum. The results were celebrated by the people of Bougainville, who have been fighting for independence for decades. However, the results of the referendum must be ratified by the National Government of Papua New Guinea before independence can be achieved.

According to the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which was signed in 2001, the results of the referendum must be ratified by the National Parliament within a period of two years. This means that the National Parliament has until December 23, 2021, to ratify the results of the referendum. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, the ratification process has been delayed.

In response to this delay, the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB), which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, passed a resolution in November 2021, extending the deadline for ratification to June 23, 2023. This extension was agreed upon by both the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The extension of the deadline for ratification has been welcomed by the people of Bougainville, who see it as a sign of progress towards independence. However, there are negative legal consequences if the National Government fails to ratify the results of the referendum by the new deadline of June 23, 2023.

Under the Bougainville Peace Agreement, if the National Parliament fails to ratify the results of the referendum by the deadline, it could be seen as a violation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the constitutional provisions that govern the relationship between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government. This could lead to a breakdown in trust between the two governments and could potentially lead to further conflicts.

Furthermore, if the National Parliament fails to ratify the results of the referendum by the deadline, the matter will be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for arbitration. This could lead to further delays in the process of achieving independence and could potentially damage the relationship between the National Government and the people of Bougainville.

In conclusion, the ratification of the results of the Bougainville referendum is an important step towards achieving independence for the people of Bougainville. While the extension of the deadline for ratification is a positive development, it is important that the National Government meets the new deadline of June 23, 2023, in order to avoid negative legal consequences and to maintain the trust between the National Government and the people of Bougainville.

Location: Waigani, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

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