Who will welcome Bougainville?

The results of the historic Bougainville elections are now known.  In electoral processes setting benchmarks for emulation in the Pacific, former Bougainville Revolutionary Army Commander, Ishmael Toroama, was

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Presidential leadership for post referendum Bougainville

Bougainville is going through a major political metamorphosis ending one political status and entering into another entity.  The 15 years of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Tenure has ended but continues

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Pacific predictions: 2020

As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, there is much to anticipate in the Pacific islands region. Elections and domestic politics A number of countries in the region will have elections during 2020: Kiribati,

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Long walk to freedom

By Netani Rika THERE was always only going to be one outcome when the people of Bougainville were given their inalienable right to choose the political future of the island chain. Independence. With an overwhelming 97.7

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Bougainvilleans vote for independence

Bougainvilleans have voted overwhelmingly for independence in referendum results released this evening. The Bougainville Referendum Commission led by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, announced that 176,928 of a

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Weather causes delays in Bougainville vote

From NETANI RIKA on Buka, Bougainville HEAVY rain and rough seas overnight have delayed the delivery of ballot boxes and voting officials to a number of small atolls off the Bougainville coast. Bougainville Referendum

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Tears of joy as ballots flow

From NETANI RIKA, Buka, Bougainville TEARS of joy flowed down Francesca Semoso’s cheeks as she cast her vote in the Bougainville Referendum. Overcome by emotion, the Deputy Speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville House

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Bougainville says no

The Bougainville Autonomous Government has rejected the Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) Panguna mining license bid following divisions among landowners. According to BCL company secretary Mark Hitchcock, the

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Problematic Panguna

THE MINERALS in Panguna are owned by the people of Bougainville as they shed blood over them and it is certainly possible Panguna mine, once a major producer and one of the largest open pit mines in the world will not

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Problematic Panguna

THE MINERALS in Panguna are owned by the people of Bougainville as they shed blood over them and it is certainly possible Panguna mine, once a major producer and one of the largest open pit mines in the world will not

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Scars of Bougainville

WITH the looming referendum and the future of the Bougainville copper mine hanging in the loop, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s recent appointment of himself as Minister for Bougainville Affairs in a recent

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Cruise options bring hope

Bougainville looks beyond mining to tourism WITH increasing pressure from local landowners on environmental issues, Bougainville is looking for options which will allow conservation of its natural resources. Until the

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