An autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is aiming for independence and elected a president who shares that ambition. Bougainville votes on independence from Papua New Guinea. It was previously scheduled for June 15 , then October 17 , with the final deadline under the peace agreement being June 2020. It is unlikely that on independence day the Autonomous Bougainville Government and its struggling public service will morph into a fully formed and functional system of governance without a hiccup. By Delorese Talasi. Papua New Guinea gained its independence on September 16, but with Australia's assistance, refused to recognise Bougainville's independence. Bougainville Independence Day From The Guardian, (Australia) 9 September 1998. Wednesday 11 December 2019 17:12 The South Pacific region of Bougainville has voted overwhelmingly for independence in a historic poll, which will … This historical push for independence translated into demands for autonomy within PNG, leading to the 1973-74 agreement to establish a provincial government for Bougainville. Geographically, Bougainville is the largest of the Solomon Islands, located near the northern end of that chain.Bougainville is 75 miles (120 km) long and 40–60 miles (65–95 km) wide. After 20 years, the big day has finally arrived for the people of Bougainville. Article Views : 1,425. The first time was in 1975 when PNG was granted independence from Australia, but Bougainville… It is my sincere hope this Independence Day, that our leaders take the former rather than the latter path. Simon Pentanu MHR GCL Speaker Bougainville House of Representatives. Bougainville, an autonomous region in eastern Papua New Guinea, could soon vote for independence in a historic referendum that is currently underway. But Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s autonomous region of Bougainville is farther along than most to achieving independence – and becoming the world’s 194 th country. Joyous scenes as Bougainville independence vote starts AFP Buka, Papua New Guinea Nov 23, 2019, 02.18 PM(IST) Workers get a polling station ready ahead of an historical independence vote, in the capital Buka on November 22, 2019. Bougainville has waited a very long time for her independence, which was again expressed last year in the referendum vote, where 97.7% of the Bougainville people voted for independence. When you think of modern-day secessions, the struggles of Catalonia, Scotland, Kashmir and Kurdistan typically come to mind. A non-binding independence referendum was held in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, between 23 November and 7 December 2019. Buka, Bougainville (PACNews)-- Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Grand Chief Dr John Momis has hinted a possible five year time-line to negotiate possible independence from Papua New Guinea for the people of Bougainville. Bougainville women’s rep and proud mother Gertrude Gaunara said she was emotional when the results were announced. IT was an emotional day for Bougainvilleans when the results of the referendum showed most people were in favour of independence. 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. The referendum question was a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea and full independence; voters voted overwhelmingly (98.31%) for independence. The two-week referendum period began on November 23 and closed on December 7. 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