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Could John Momis take Bougainville to independence

Voting in the Bougainville electionRAYMOND KOMIS GIRANA

An entry in the Crocodile Prize
PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum
Award for Essays & Journalism

THE months of May and June are very busy for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as the election for Bougainville’s third House of Representatives rolls along with campaigns, polling and counting now underway in the three regions.

Bougainville’s new government will be sworn in later this month to administer the most crucial act since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

The new Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has until to 2019 to hold a referendum in which Bougainvilleans will be asked whether they want independence or continued association with Papua New Guinea.

Observers believe it is likely this referendum will be held sooner rather than later.

The new government will have to work hard to meet the demands of the Bougainville Peace Agreement because it is the provisions of this agreement that will give Bougainvilleans the right to exercise their views on the future political status of the province.

Beyond that, it will be up to the PNG government to agree or disagree.

As counting in the current election continues, Bougainvilleans are desperate to know who their new leaders will be and they look forward to the establishment of a new parliament and the formation of a new government.

So far 16 candidates have already been declared elected while people in another 24 constituencies wait in hope.

In the presidential count, the incumbent, Dr John Momis, has maintained a clear lead over his eight rivals, although this slipped overnight as former Bougainville Revolutionary Army commander Sam Kauona from central Bougainville improved his position as did his onetime comrade in arms, Ismael Toroama.

The candidates contesting the presidential seat are mostly from central and south Bougainville. The north did not endorse a candidate for the presidential seat. No real mystery as to why as the 75-year old Momis, although raised in the southern town of Buin, is very popular in the north of the province.

Despite a few criticisms against the Momis prior to this election, the people ultimately speak their views through the ballot box. The results from the counting so far show that Momis is heading for a comfortable victory.

Bougainvilleans think Momis should continue as president to bring Bougainville to freedom; a mission he began many decades ago and which is appropriately his to complete.

We are also aware that if the father of autonomy is re-elected, it will be his last term of leadership. This means that 2020 will be the year for new leadership.

It may also mean a new government of an independent state of Bougainville or a Republic of Bougainville, depending on the type of government she will choose.

Could it be possible that an 80-year old John Momis will be the father of a new nation if the ABG is dissolved under any future political arrangement? That is for time to tell us.

So it’s looking like Momis will retain the presidency with an absolute majority of votes and with the approval of people from throughout Bougainville.

Meanwhile, counting continues in a peaceful environment and Bougainvilleans are looking forward to welcome their new government later this month.

 Counting at Tuesday 5.30am

John Momis

22453

47%

Sam Kaona

7203

15%

Ismael Toroama

6175

13%

Sam Akoitai

4905

10%

Nick F Peniai

2928

6%

Reuben Siara

1557

3%

Others (3)

2558

6%

Total valid votes

47779

 percentages are rounded

 

Comments

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Michael Dom

Em nau!

Aaron Binkia

Go Bougainville.Let the real players play the game, rather than the spectators taking over the field.

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