Bougainville plans constitution consultations in parts of Papua New Guinea

The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission is preparing to set off to other parts of Papua New Guinea to allow Bougainvilleans living away from home to have their say about the constitution.

The first draft of the constitution for an independent Bougainville has now been made public, marking a significant step in the region’s path towards political independence.

Four teams are scheduled to travel to the Highlands, Momase, New Guinea Islands, and the Southern region in PNG.

After that the consultations will be conducted in Bougainville itself.

During these consultations, the Commission will collect views and issues from Bougainvilleans, which will then be considered by the drafters as they create the final draft of the autochthonous constitution for Bougainville.

Bougainville is still awaiting the ratification of its independence referendum by the PNG national Parliament but the Minister for Implementation of Independence, Ezekiel Masatt, said they wanted to get started early on developing a constitution.

“We are currently engaging in the second round of consultations with the Bougainvilleans, both outside of Bougainville and eventually back in Bougainville,” he said.

“We are hoping that a second and final draft will be ready by December 2024.”