Toroama urges unity
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has called on Bougainvillean's to remain united and calm as Papua New Guinea's National Parliament debates the Bi-Partisan Parliament Committee Report on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum.
In a statement, Toroama says parliament's debate would test the resolve of the 97.8 percent of Bougainvilleans who voted for independence during the 2019 referendum.
He says Bougainvilleans would hear directly the views of Papua New Guinea's political leaders regarding Bougainville's history, its government, and its aspirations to become an independent sovereign nation.
President Toroama reminded the people that Bougainville's quest for self-determination predates Papua New Guinea's independence and says the region had compromised its aspirations in 1975 to support PNG's nationhood.
He says instead of receiving gratitude, Bougainville experienced an armed conflict that led to the Bougainville Crisis.
The President also defended the ABG against criticism, saying it was unfair to judge its performance without considering the challenges of post-conflict recovery, institution building, and what he described as limited support from the National Government in implementing the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Toroama says the overwhelming referendum result was the product of decades of sacrifice, resilience, reconciliation, and the determination of Bougainvilleans to decide their own future.
He urged people throughout Bougainville to remain peaceful, respectful, and focused on their common goal.
The President says no parliamentary debate or report can erase Bougainville's history or diminish the democratic mandate expressed by its people through the referendum.
He reaffirmed his faith in God and expressed confidence that Bougainville will ultimately achieve its political aspirations.
The Bi-Partisan Report on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum was tabled in the National Parliament, yesterday, a key step in the ongoing consultations between the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea on Bougainville's political future.