The region is now known as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. People vote for more autonomy, turning down the independence option. Your donation directly supports the critical reporting you rely on, the consistent reporting you believe in, and the deep reporting you want to ensure survives. Anna Powles, Massey University. It started with a dispute over a large mine that was operating on Bougainville, but it became a much more intractable conflict and led to clashes between different groups in Bougainville and also with the national government, military and police. With Buka Island and several island groups, it forms the autonomous region of Bougainville. The population is approximately 250,000. Bougainville and nationhood. The other worry is that it might set a precedent. There doesn't seem to be any questions raised about the counting process or the nature of the voting. The autonomous region of Bougainville has overwhelmingly voted to break away from Papua New Guinea and become an independent country. Within the country, your best bet is New Guinean national carrier Air Niugini (sound it out), which flies to Buka. I think just the scale of the outcome means that it's pretty hard for anyone to argue those problems. For Prelims: Where is Bougainville? The Islands of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea May Become the World's Newest Country By Kaitlyn McInnis January 07, 2020 An impressive 97.7 per cent of voters in the region voted for a referendum, which has held a special status as an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea since 2001. Geographically, Bougainville is the largest of the Solomon Islands, located near the northern end of … Citizens of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, overwhelmingly voted for independence on Dec. 11, which means it may become the world’s newest country, CNN reported. For Prelims: Where is Bougainville? Several factors stand out. Donate today to help keep our coverage free and open to all. depending on the result, this could mean the world gets a brand new sovereign country, but there's much more to this story so stick around to find out. John Momis, right, president of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, before voting in Buka, Papua New Guinea, November 23, 2019 Associated Press Shane McLeod : It's a province within Papua New Guinea, but it was given special status as part of a peace agreement in 2001, which ended a pretty vicious and violent conflict that had been going on in Bougainville for about 15 years or so. Anna Powles, Massey University. It can barely support what it has now in terms of its special autonomous government. Several factors stand out. If Bougainville’s people vote for its independence in the historic referendum, the world will get its newest and possibly smallest nation. The vote is a significant indicator of public sentiment, but is non-binding, and will now need to be approved by the Papua New Guinea parliament before Bougainville can become its own country. An island group that's part of Papua New Guinea is about to vote on independence. It's going to need resources to make itself viable and it's going to be relying on international partners to get there once it is able to negotiate this process with PNG. But it does provide a sense of unity and identity for a lot of Bougainvilleans. November 20, 2019, ... so there’s no doubt this vote is the start of a new direction for Bougainville.” said . While under colonial control, Bougainville - current population 300,000 - was always an outpost. G overned by dawn chorus of cockatoos and circadian tropical tides, time on Bougainville – the world’s newest country in waiting – is a moveable feast. When you think of modern-day secessions, the struggles of Catalonia, Scotland, Kashmir and Kurdistan typically come to mind. Results of the historic referendum were announced on … Donate $100 or or more to hear your name in our podcast credits AND receive an invite to a virtual party with Marco Werman and The World team! Yeah, one of the big challenges for Bougainville is economic prospects. It has been a really well scrutinized process. Read about our approach to external linking. The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. Anna Powles, Massey University. It is an island in the Pacific. Bougainville Island (Tok Pisin: Bogenvil) is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea.It formed the main landmass of the German Empire-associated North Solomons.Its land measures 9,300 km 2 (3,600 sq mi). Jason Scott. Mount Balbi on the main island at 2,715 m (8,907 ft) is the highest point. After the failed independence declaration, discontent simmered and in 1988 a nine-year separatist war began. Posted on December 5, 2019. Meanwhile, the US - along with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan - have provided funds to help with the referendum. I think that just means that independence has to be happening, there has to be a timeline for that. The islands have struggled against Papua New Guinea’s rule since the 1970s. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. In October, new Prime Minister James Marape reiterated that the vote was non-binding, and that the result would be "deliberated upon" by the governments of PNG and Bougainville. They just voted 97.7% to vote in favour of independence. Given the scale of the outcome, PNG's government doesn't really have the capacity to interpret this vote another way. The new country - should it happen - would be small, with a land mass of less than 10,000 square kilometres (slightly larger than Cyprus, and slightly smaller than Lebanon). The result was the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), the creation in 2005 of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and the promise of a non-binding referendum on independence. We need just 407 more donors to make our goal of 1,000. Cassidy from space: 'Looking down at Earth, it's just this blue ball of peace', Tensions mount at Sudan-Ethiopia border as refugees flee Tigray conflict, Two sides of a Mexican American family show how identity and politics diverge, A therapists' network supports immigrants, advocates during pandemic, ‘Connecting with God by caring for the environment’: Franciscan monk in Kenya shares Christmas message, For many across Europe, Christmas is 'canceled' this year, Immigrant communities connect with Indigenous products to nurture, heal during pandemic. If Bougainville gets independence, other PNG provinces (there are more than 20) could also up their demands for greater autonomy - or possibly secession. So, that was the compromise ... and it would take place within 20 years after the new government was established. Within the country, your best bet is New Guinean national carrier Air Niugini (sound it out), which flies to Buka. The new country is 8,646 square kilometers, and the new capital is 598 kilometers. Bougainville, a small island belonging to Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific, has taken a major decision. In fact, there was even a declaration of independence shortly before PNG was formed - an attempt to create the "Republic of the North Solomons". Nithyananda, India’s fugitive godman, has reportedly founded his own country somewhere in the Pacific. Bougainville Island, easternmost island of Papua New Guinea, in the Solomon Sea, southwestern Pacific.With Buka Island and several island groups, it forms the autonomous region of Bougainville. But according to research by Australia's Lowy Institute, Bougainville achieving self-reliance would at best be years away. peace agreement sets 2020 deadline for independence poll, How Lewis Hamilton is helping make racing environmentally friendly. In November of 2019, the people of Bonneville currently a part of pop one New Guinea, will hold a referendum on independence. Present Status Of Bougainville. People line up to vote in a referendum on Bougainville's independence from Papua New Guinea, in the region's interim capital of Buka Town, on Nov. 25. There have been independent observers throughout the process. Likewise, its population would be one of the world’s smallest. 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