A former Speaker of the Bougainville parliament says consultations across Papua New Guinea on the independence issue are out of order.
Delegates at talks between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea governments in Kokopo, East New Britain, 16 May 2021. Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government
Andrew Miriki said the nation-wide consultations agreed to by the PNG Prime Minister, James Marape, and the Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, are not part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
He told local media there were no consultations before an agreement was reached in Wabag in July.
At that meeting Mr Toroama said Bougainville expected to be independent by 2027 while Mr Marape was less clear, saying the independence of Bougainville is the greatest issue facing PNG.
Mr Miriki said the Peace Agreement doesn't allow for the independence referendum result to be the subject of a PNG-wide consultation.
He said what should happen is that after negotiations between the governments the agreement goes before the PNG parliament for ratification.
Mr Miriki said such consultations will be time consuming, expensive and not in the best interests of Bougainville.