Papua New Guinea's prime minister has made a special appeal to Bougainvilleans for unity with PNG.
James Marape went to Bougainville after the autonomous PNG region's non-binding independence referendum.
A 97.7 percent majority voted for independence in the referendum, although to come into effect, the result must be ratified by PNG's national parliament.
Johnny Blades has been covering the referendum and spoke to Koroi Hawkins about the PNG government's position following the vote.
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PNG Prime Minister, James Marape. Photo: Facebook / PNG office of the prime minister