Sir Jerry Mateparae in 2014. Photo: AFP
The Bougainville and Papua New Guinea governments have named former New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, to try and resolve an impasse on Bougainville's push for independence.
Sir Jerry, a former head of the Defence Force, was also a commander of the Peace Monitoring Group, that provided security on Bougainville after a truce ended the civil war in 1997.
The governments, in a statement, say this gave Sir Jerry a first hand understanding of PNG and Bougainville, making him an ideal moderator.
Bougainville, which wants independence by 2027, is still waiting to have its referendum on independence tabled in the PNG parliament.
It was due to be tabled in 2023
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, left, and PNG Prime Minister James Marape confirm the appointment of New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae. 10 September 2024 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government
PNG wants the initial parliamentary vote on the tabling to be by an absolute majority of MPs, while Bougainville considers it should be a simple majority.
Both governments say "we consider Sir Jerry to be extremely credible, is from the Pacific Region and commands the respect of both our governments".
"During our discussion, we agreed that the scope of the moderator should be broadened and be as flexible as required.
"We have conveyed our request directly to Sir Jerry. There is an administrative process to follow but we look forward to working closely with Sir Jerry and the UN in supporting our two governments in navigating a mutually successful conclusion to the Bougainville peace process."
Minister for Bougainville Independence, Ezekiel Masatt, on the appointment of Sir Jerry.
(The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.)
Ezekiel Masatt: Let me start by saying the appointment of Sir Jerry was a consensus appointment. There was very little argument. We had narrowed down the list but when it came to the last three Sir Jerry was the one that myself and Minister Makiba [ PNG Minister of Bougainville Affairs] were able to agree very quickly on.
The other three candidates also came with a wealth of experience, but I think in the end, what swayed both myself and Minister Makiba was the fact that Sir Jerry had served in some capacity here in Bougainville, and we were insistent that any candidate on the moderator's position, was one that that would understand not only what the relevant agreements are, but particularly the context of the Bougainville situation.
It now means we can move forward. There are some administrative arrangements being attended to in terms of informing and finding out what sort of timetable Sir Jerry's on. I'm aware that he's available when his application was launched, and I assume that he will be ready to commence work as soon as possible.
Don Wiseman: What is it that you particularly require from him?
EM: Well, some of the aspects of the impasse, the arguments, is not necessarily on what the literal meaning of the agreement is. It's more contextual. And I think it's from that particular aspect that we think Sir Jerry would be a plus.
DW: I don't know whether he's a lawyer or not, but he'll have legal advice, no doubt?
EM: It's not going to be a one man show. It's not going to be Sir Jerry attempting to resolve all these things. We had explicitly agreed on resource people working with him. The primary purpose is not only to resolve the impasse, but it's also to make sure that the members of the national parliament are fully conversant on the Bougainville situation. So, whilst the terms of reference for Sir Jerry might appear to be limited, if you read the joint statement from the Prime Minister [Marape] and the President [Toroama], you would see that it's quite an expansive role that he's required to play.
DW: So, in terms of, say, informing the MPs and the PNG parliament, how does it go about that? Will he speak to Parliament, directly?
EM: No, not necessarily. There is a bipartisan committee that still needs to be set up, and what we anticipate is for the bipartisan to be working with Sir Jerry's office. We also anticipate Sir Jerry to be getting resource people to come in and have workshops and seminars with the members and anybody that matters. I don't anticipate the moderator to be personally attending to all these tasks. I think there are relevant resource people who we can utilise on this agenda.
DW: And when we talk about the impasse, it's this debate over whether it should be a simple or an absolute vote by MPs on the tabling?
EM: That's correct.
DW: So, when do you think it will be resolved now?
EM: I stand ready to brief Sir Jerry, as soon as he commences his responsibility. I have no indications of when the timeline might be. I have no indications when he gets into the country, but the intention is when he commences work that myself and Minister Makiba would be in a position to provide a briefing to him and argue our case, and then he can take it from there.