Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on Members of Parliament and all Papua New Guineans to approach this week’s historic consideration of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum Result with prayer, wisdom, maturity and respect for the Constitutional process as the National Parliament resumes today.
Prime Minister Marape said Parliament is entering one of the most consequential periods in Papua New Guinea’s history, with the Bougainville Referendum Result scheduled to be formally brought before the House on Thursday, 27 August,
2026. The occasion will mark the culmination of a Constitutional journey stretching back to the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 2001, which ended years of conflict and established the framework for Autonomy, a Referendum and subsequent Consultations before the National Parliament exercises its Constitutional responsibility. “This is a historic moment for our Parliament, for Bougainville and for Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Marape said. “For 25 years, successive Governments, Bougainville Leaders, Churches, Communities and International Partners have worked to preserve Peace and honour the Bougainville Peace Agreement. We have arrived at the point where the National Parliament must now take possession of the Referendum Result and discharge the responsibility entrusted to it by our Constitution.”
A 25-YEAR JOURNEY FROM CONFLICT TO PARLIAMENT
The Bougainville Peace Agreement was signed in August 2001, establishing the foundations for lasting Peace following the Bougainville Conflict. Its provisions were subsequently incorporated into Part XIV of the National Constitution, providing for an Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Weapons Disposal and a deferred Referendum on Bougainville’s future political status. The Referendum was peacefully conducted in 2019, with 97.7 per cent of participating Voters choosing Independence and 2.3 per cent choosing Greater Autonomy. Under the Peace Agreement and Constitution, the Referendum outcome is subject to Consultations between the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government before the National Parliament makes the final Constitutional decision. Prime Minister Marape said this distinction must be clearly understood. “The Referendum was legitimate, peaceful and overwhelming in its result, and we respect the voice expressed by the people of Bougainville,” he said. “At the same time, the Peace Agreement and our Constitution established the complete process. The Referendum was followed by Consultations, and the final decision-making responsibility rests with the National Parliament. This provision was not created by the Marape Government. It is the Constitutional settlement inherited from the Bougainville Peace Agreement, and our duty is to faithfully complete that process.”
FINAL CONSULTATIONS COMPLETED
Prime Minister Marape said the most recent Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) Meeting at Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby, co-chaired with ABG President Hon. Ishmael Toroama, represented another historic milestone. The JSB endorsed the Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework and agreed that the Referendum Result and associated documents would be formally tabled in Parliament on Thursday, 27 August.
The Joint Consultation Report records the Consultations undertaken by the two Governments, while the Melanesian Framework provides an agreed pathway for continuing peaceful engagement beyond Parliament’s consideration of the matter. “Government has completed its Constitutional responsibilities. Parliament must now undertake its Constitutional responsibility,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Every Member of Parliament will have the opportunity to speak. Every Member will ultimately have to exercise his or her responsibility according to conscience, guided by the Constitution and the interests of our country.” Prime Minister Marape urged Political Leaders and Citizens not to approach the issue through threats, fear, regionalism or hostility. “This is a difficult task but duty demands that we do this,” he said.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BEFORE HISTORIC MOMENT
Prime Minister Marape said it was deeply significant that tomorrow, Wednesday, 26 August, is Papua New Guinea’s National Day of Prayer and Repentance, immediately preceding the scheduled presentation of the Bougainville Referendum matter to Parliament. He appealed to Churches and Citizens across Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville, to use the day to Pray specifically for Parliament, Bougainville, National Unity, Reconciliation and lasting Peace. “As Christians, we must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.’ I ask all Papua New Guineans and Bougainvilleans to pray for our Nation, our Parliament and our leaders. Let us approach this important moment not with fear or division, but with humility, wisdom and a commitment to lasting peace.”
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guineans should appreciate the gravity of the matter because Decisions surrounding Bougainville will have implications extending far beyond the present generation. “This is not an ordinary Parliamentary Debate. It concerns our Constitution, our Sovereignty, our National Identity, the aspirations of the Bougainville people and, above all, the Peace that our people have worked so hard to maintain. Whether you live in Bougainville, the Highlands, Momase, Southern or the New Guinea Islands, I ask you to take this matter seriously and pray.”
PEACE MUST REMAIN PARAMOUNT
Prime Minister Marape said one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest achievements was that the Bougainville question had moved from Armed Conflict to Peaceful Political and Constitutional dialogue. “For twenty-five years we have honoured the Bougainville Peace Agreement through Dialogue, Patience and Constitutional process,” he said. “Whatever the outcome, let history record that Papua New Guinea and Bougainville chose Peace over Conflict, Dialogue over Violence, and Constitutional Democracy over Division.” The Prime Minister emphasised that Parliament’s consideration of the Referendum would not end the relationship between Bougainville and the rest of Papua New Guinea. “Whatever decision Parliament ultimately makes, the story between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville will continue,” he said. “We share history, families, Churches, culture, economic relationships and the same Melanesian neighbourhood. Those relationships do not disappear because Parliament has exercised a Constitutional responsibility. After Parliament has spoken, the two Governments must continue talking about the Way Forward.”
Prime Minister Marape appealed to Members of Parliament to rise above Partisan Politics when dealing with the issue. “This is bigger than Government and Opposition. It is bigger than any Political Party or any individual leader. History has placed this responsibility upon this Parliament. May God give every Member wisdom, may God give our Bougainvillean brothers and sisters Peace, and may God guide Papua New Guinea as we walk through this historic moment together.”