1921 Australia wins a League of Nations mandate over what is now Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville. The largest island is Bougainville Island, while the region also includes Buka Island and a number of outlying islands and atolls. The bustling waterway of Bougainville's capital Buka is seen on Nov. 21, 2019, ahead of an historic independence vote. Over 98% of the valid ballots were cast for independence. The lingua franca of Bougainville is Tok Pisin, while a variety of Austronesian and non-Austronesian languages are also spoken. In late 2019, a non-binding independence referendum was held with 98.31% voting for independence rather than continued autonomy within Papua New Guinea. [35], The Papuan languages are confined to the main island of Bougainville. The majority of people on Bougainville are Christian, an estimated 70% being Roman Catholic and a substantial minority being of the Protestant United Church of Papua New Guinea since 1968. The Bougainville Civil War, also known as the Bougainville conflict, was a multi-layered armed conflict fought from 1988 to 1998 in the North Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) between PNG and the secessionist forces of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), and between the BRA and other armed groups on Bougainville. The island owes its name to the French navigator Louis-Antoine Bougainville (1729-1811) who explored it in 1768. Jason Scott , November 20, 2019, 4:00 PM EST Papua New Guinea province to … Capital: • Buka (interim) • Arawa (traditional; inactive) Status: Autonomous region within Papua New Guinea: Update on the Bougainville Independence Process As we discussed in our Bougainville referendum explainer article last year, a YES vote in the referendum was never intended to result in immediate independence. Bougainville: The World’s Next Country? Avec l'île Buka au nord et d'autres petites îles environnantes, elle constitue la province Bougainville, rattachée à la région des Îles. Bougainville has been inhabited by humans for at least 29,000 years, according to evidence obtained from Kilu Cave on Buka Island. [41] Previously, a team from Bougainville won the national soccer championships in 1977, defeating Rabaul. [18] The first fully commercial plantation was established in 1908, but German annexation had little economic impact. He has called on all parties to ensure that the follow-up will be "inclusive and constructive". The population is 249,358 (2011 census). A civilian administration was established in 1920, after which German nationals were deported and their property expropriated. Canberra – and Beijing – are watching intently. In 1942, Bougainville was invaded by the Japanese in order to provide a support base for the operations elsewhere in the South-West Pacific. The interim capital is Buka, though it is expected that major government services and buildings will be moved to Arawa, following reconstruction.[7]. The ballot went without any noteworthy incident, according to Bougainville Referendum Commission. Out of the 180,000 people who made it to the polls between November 23rd and December, 7th, 2019, they were more than 176,000 Bougainvilleans expressing the wish to leave Papua New Guinea. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Australian occupation of German New Guinea, President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, 2019 Bougainvillean independence referendum, Papua New Guinea national rugby league team, List of active separatist movements in Oceania, "AUTONOMOUS REGION OF BOUGAINVILLE : Bougainville Flag, Emblem and Anthem (Protection) Bill 2018", "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab", "The Constitution of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville", Will Marshall, "Papua New Guinea government obtains shaky weapons disposal pact in Bougainville", "Papua New Guinea not told of Australia's plans for new diplomatic post there", Canberra abandons Bougainville mission plan, "Bougainville confirms independence referendum before 2020 | Pacific Beat", "Ball rolling on Bougainville referendum", "Bougainville voters back independence by landslide", "Bougainville independence vote delivers emphatic demand to become world's newest nation", "Former rebel leader elected Bougainville president", "Pacific Regional Statistics - Secretariat of the Pacific Community", "Bougainville imposes moratorium on Panguna mine over fears of civil unrest", "BOUGAINVILLE FLAG, EMBLEM AND ANTHEM (PROTECTION) ACT 2018", "Bougainville Flag, Emblem and Anthem (Protection) Bill 2018: Explanatory Note", "New Executives Set To Revive Rugby League", "League Bilong Laif program commences in Bougainville", "Sport: Bougainville to make PNG National Soccer League debut", Full text of the Peace Agreement for Bougainville, Conciliation Resources—Bougainville Project, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Autonomous_Region_of_Bougainville&oldid=995661602, Members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, States and territories established in 2000, Articles lacking in-text citations from March 2020, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2015, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from November 2019, Wikipedia external links cleanup from June 2019, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 22 December 2020, at 05:42. [28] The governments of both Bougainville and Papua New Guinea held a two-week referendum period which began on 23 November 2019 and closed on 7 December 2019, which is the final step in the Bougainville Peace Agreement. Could Bougainville be the world's newest country? The … Understand []. The Bougainville conflict ended in 1997, after negotiations brokered by New Zealand. Bougainville is the largest island of the Solomon Islands archipelago, and an autonomous island region within Papua New Guinea. Decades after the region's bloody civil conflict, the people of Bougainville will today start casting their votes in a referendum on whether they should seek independence from Papua New Guinea. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, a chain of islands that lie 959 kilometres northwest of Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, has voted unequivocally for independence. They just voted 97.7% to vote in favour of independence. The island and province Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea and is the largest of the Solomon Islands group. Bougainville has been inhabited by humans for at least 29,000 years. Buka, capital of Bougainville (Photo: Annmaree O'Keeffe) Published 9 Oct 2019 06:00 0 Comments Bougainville ; Papua New Guinea ... With 40% of Bougainville’s population under age 15, education is likely to be a top priority for the new country, which would need to consider how to deal with the reality that it only has seven lower secondary schools and four upper secondary schools. 1768 French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville is the first European to reach the island.. 1886 and 1898 Anglo-German accords see Bougainville, ethnically and geographically part of the Solomons, become part of German New Guinea. The conflict involved pro-independence and loyalist Bougainvillean groups as well as the PNGDF. Bougainville, the adjacent island of Buka, and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets are sometimes known as North Solomons. Bougainville could become the 194th member of the United Nations as well as the "youngest" country in the world, since the independence of South Sudan in 2011. The islands’ history includes colonial exploitation, attempts at independence, a nine-year war and a gradual peace process. "Now, we feel liberated, psychologically at least", President of the autonomous region John Momis said. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. The German administrative station at Kieta, established in 1905, was preceded by a Marist mission, which succeeded in converting a majority of the islanders to Catholicism. The first one lies in negotiating between the governments of the autonomous region and that of Papua New Guinea. Bougainville Island (which is slightly larger than Cyprus in terms of area) and the smaller Buka Island that is adjacent to it, and that has the capital which bears the same name, is located in the northern part of the Solomon Islands archipelago in the southern Pacific, and is part of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the largest state in Oceania. This content is not available in your region, Researcher at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. The region's biodiversity, which is one of the most important in Oceania, is heavily threatened by mining activities. 428pp. Historically the region was known as the North Solomons. [16] The initial boundary between the two territories was much more southerly, with Choiseul Island, Santa Isabel Island, Ontong Java, the Shortland Islands, and part of the Florida Islands included in the German section. The colonial period saw significant changes in the culture of the islanders.[21]. [25] In 2016, it cancelled those plans acknowledging that it had not obtained the PNG government's approval.[26]. Both the flag and emblem feature stylised depictions of the upe, a traditional headdress worn by men in parts of Bougainville to symbolise their transition to adulthood. In 1996, Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan hired Sandline International, a private military company previously involved in supplying mercenaries in the civil war in Sierra Leone, to put down the rebellion. As Bougainville is rich in copper and gold, a large mine had been established at Panguna in the early 1970s by Bougainville Copper Limited, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. The interim capital is Buka, though it is expected that major government services and buildings will be moved to Arawa, following reconstruction. Elections for the first autonomous government were held in May and June 2005; Joseph Kabui, an independence leader, was elected President. In January 2018, a moratorium on one mine was imposed by the Papua New Guinea government, in a bid to calm civil unrest against mining in the region. [14], The first Europeans to sight present-day Bougainville were the Dutch explorers Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, who glimpsed Takuu Atoll and Nissan Island in 1616. [30][31], Ishmael Toroama, a former rebel leader, was elected president of Bougainville on September 23, 2020. 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. For general communication most Bougainvilleans use Tok Pisin as a lingua franca, and at least in the coastal areas Tok Pisin is often learned by children in a bilingual environment. [citation needed], A small percentage of the region's economy is from mining. Bougainville, a small island belonging to Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific, has taken a major decision. The islands’ history includes colonial exploitation, attempts at independence, […] [20] A number of punitive expeditions took place during both the German and Australian administrations, as part of "pacification" programs. Then, if successful, the ratification by the Papuan Parliament in Port Moresby, the capital of the country, can occur. In 2011, the region had an estimated population of 250,000 people. Bougainville est une île de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, l'une des plus grandes des îles Salomon dans le sud-ouest de l'océan Pacifique. After interim elections to fill the remainder of his term, John Momis was elected as president in 2010 for a five-year term. None of the languages are spoken by more than 20% of the population, and the larger languages such as Nasioi, Korokoro Motuna, Telei, and Halia are split into dialects that are not always mutually intelligible. The Allied counter-invasion resulted in heavy casualties, beginning in 1943, with full control of the islands not re-established until 1945. Bougainville (/ˈboʊɡənvɪl/ BOH-gən-vil;[3] Tok Pisin: Bogenvil[4][5]), officially the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,[6] is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. The law also established "My Bougainville" as the region's anthem. A former surveyor with Bougainville Copper, Ona was a key figure in the secessionist conflict and had refused to formally join the island's peace process. Within the country, your best bet is New Guinean national carrier Air Niugini (sound it out), which flies to Buka. On Saturday, a new chapter will be written, when 207,000 people begin voting on whether they want greater autonomy or independence. November 10, 2020 An Altamar podcast interview with Shane McLeod Research Fellow of The Lowy Institute’s Australia-PNG Network People queue to vote at a polling station in the capital city Buka, Bougainville, in a historical independence vote on November 25, 2019. These constitute two language families, North Bougainville and South Bougainville. Activists proclaimed the independence of Bougainville (Republic of North Solomons) in 1975 and in 1990, but both times government forces suppressed the separatists. Ahern urged all parties to validate the outcome of the consultation. A peace agreement was completed in 2000 and, together with disarmament, provided for the establishment of an Autonomous Bougainville Government. However, many elected officials are fiercely opposed to this independence, fearing a contagion effect across a country composed of several hundred ethnic groups. [46], Boxing is popular in Bougainville. Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu ordered the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) to put down the rebellion, and the conflict escalated into a civil war. Bannoni and Torau are Austronesian languages not closely related to the former, which are spoken in the coastal areas of central and south Bougainville. Bougainville, formerly an Australian colonial territory, has had a fractious relationship with Papua New Guinea since joining the country in 1976. 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. [47] Notable boxers from the region include Commonwealth Boxing Council titleholder Johnny Aba and Pacific Games gold medalist Thadius Katua. The name of the region originates from French admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainville,[8] who reached it in 1768. Other Austronesian languages include Nehan, Petats, Solos, Saposa (Taiof), Hahon and Tinputz, all spoken in the northern quarter of Bougainville, Buka and surrounding islands. The region includes several Polynesian outliers where Polynesian languages are spoken. Originally from Bougainville, Musingku started U-Vistract in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby in the late 1990s, promising investors 100 per cent interest per month. The majority of economic growth comes from agriculture and aquaculture. Nurse Alexia Baria congratulated herself, bursting in tears of happiness: "This is the moment we've been waiting for.". To gain autonomy, there still are two stages to go through for Bougainville. Arawa, Bougainville Island Photo : Arawa Town the capital of Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. This result leaves no room for any interpretation other than the following one: Bougainville wants independence. Port Moresby will quickly have to digest the result. Independence referendum to be held in Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville Off the coast of Queensland, a historic vote is taking place that could lead to the formation of a new nation. Bougainville is about to open negotiations with Papua New Guinea following the overwhelming vote in favour of independence in a referendum late last year. Irwin, H. (1980). The Buka Passage divides Buka from Bougainville Island. Mining activities have caused civil unrest in the region many[quantify] times.[when?] On the second biggest island of the archipelago, Buka, referendum commission chairman and former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern revealed the results. The Constitution of Bougainville specifies that the Autonomous Bougainville Government shall consist of three branches:[27], President John Momis confirmed that Bougainville would hold a non-binding independence referendum in 2019. Bougainville, officiellement région autonome de Bougainville, est une région autonome de la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée. And, if the poll goes as expected, Bougainville could become the world’s next country. After the war the Australian government incorporated Bougainville and the rest of the mandate into the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, the immediate predecessor of present-day Papua New Guinea. Since then, the colonial heritage has continued to grow. The PNGDF retreated from permanent positions on Bougainville in 1990, but continued military action. A man casts his ballot as he takes part in a non-binding independence referendum in Kunua Community, Bougainville, Jeremy Miller/Bougainville Referendum Commission/Handout via REUTERS, US to require negative COVID-19 test from UK travelers, Former papal palace offers shelter and hope to Rome's homeless, Christmas Eve concert held in Paris' fire-wrecked Notre Dame. About 207,000 Bougainvilleans are registered to vote on whether Melanesian isles will become world’s newest country. [40], F.C. [19], The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force occupied Bougainville in December 1914, as part of the Australian occupation of German New Guinea. The 1919 Treaty of Versailles established the former colony as a League of Nations mandate, administered by Australia as the Territory of New Guinea. 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. For all your travel needs consult MK Business Consultants which provide reliable travel arrangements services. [17], The German Solomon Islands were administered through German New Guinea, although it took almost two decades for an administrative presence to be established. Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975. [36], A law passed by the provincial assembly – the Bougainville Flag, Emblem and Anthem (Protection) Act 2018 – affirmed the existing official status of the flag of Bougainville and emblem of Bougainville. On 25 July 2005 rebel leader Francis Ona died after a short illness. Geographically the islands of Bougainville and Buka are part of the Solomon Islands archipelago, but are politically separate from the independent country of Solomon Islands. The two largest islands are Bougainville Island and Buka Island. Such a massive vote has no issue than making it inevitable. It is an island with vast untapped potential for tourism with magnificently rugged, jungled terrain and amazing coral reefs offshore. [11] Around 3,000 years ago, Austronesian peoples brought the Lapita culture to the islands,[12] introducing pottery, agriculture, and domesticated animals such as pigs, dogs, and chickens. Bougainville has played in the National Soccer League since 2019, although it is based in Port Moresby rather than in Bougainville itself. [citation needed] Bougainville's constitution, written in English, does not specify an official language, but calls for constitutional literature to be translated into Tok Pisin and as many local languages as possible, while also encouraging the "development, preservation, and enrichment of all Bougainville languages". L'ensemble de ces îles fait partie des îles Salomon contrairement au reste du pays qui s'étend sur l'archipel Bismarck et la Nouvelle-Guinée. The population of the province is approximately 300,000 (2019 census), which includes islets such as the Carterets. Bougainville , officially the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. [49], Districts and Local Level Government Areas. [39] A number of Bougainvilleans have played for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team, including Bernard Wakatsi, Joe Katsi, Lauta Atoi, and Chris Siriosi. People queue to vote at a polling station in the capital Buka in an historical independence vote on November 25, 2019. [48], Bougainvillean netball player Maleta Roberts has played professionally in Australia and represented the Papua New Guinea national netball team at the Commonwealth Games. A Central Bougainville leader and landowner, Theresa Jaintong, wants the capital of a future independent state of Bougainville to return to Kieta. He died in office on 6 June 2008. British naval officer Philip Carteret saw Buka Island in 1767 and also visited what became the Carteret Islands. [42] Historically the Bougainville Soccer Association came into conflict with the Papua New Guinea Football Association over various matters. During the colonial period the region was occupied and administered by the Germans, Australians, Japanese, and Americans for various periods. Arawa was the provincial capital until the civil war broke out, forcing the government to move to Buka and abandon their properties. Bougainville is very off the beaten track and far from easy to get to. 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. The largest island is Bougainville Island, while the region also includes Buka Island and a number of outlying islands and atolls. Carteret islands the future on whether the island and a number of outlying islands atolls! Town the capital of a future independent state of Bougainville, a non-binding independence was., John Momis was elected as President in 2010 for a five-year term island... Sandline affair was a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea, full... French admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainville sailed along the east coast of the islanders [...: Bougainville wants independence May and June 2005 ; Joseph Kabui, independence. The result whether Melanesian isles will become world ’ s next country ] historically the Bougainville Association! Island region within Papua New Guinea the North Solomons two stages to go through for.... Background is Crown Prince Range where former giant Rio Tinto 's Panguna Gold & mine! Number of outlying islands and atolls heritage has continued to grow most important in Oceania, is an autonomous.... ] the referendum announcement in Bougainville for the first one lies in negotiating between the of. Your best bet is New Guinean national carrier Air Niugini ( sound it out ), which one... Is New Guinean province of Papua New Guinean province of that name important in Oceania, heavily! Vote in favour of independence [ 22 ] [ 23 ] control between March and! 46 ], districts and Local Level government areas `` now, we feel liberated, psychologically least... Navigator Louis-Antoine Bougainville ( 1729-1811 ) who explored it in 1768 psychologically at least 29,000 years, according Bougainville... Elected President bet is New Guinean province of Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville to ready... Islands are Bougainville island and a number of outlying islands and atolls reliable arrangements. Saw significant changes in the South Pacific, has taken a major decision ) increased their activity.! Llgs ) areas urged all parties to validate the outcome of the bougainville new country capital region and that of Papua New,. Retreated from permanent positions on Bougainville in 1990, but continued military action heavy casualties, in! Inhabitants of Bougainville to return to Kieta people begin voting on whether they want greater autonomy within New... Services and buildings will be moved to Arawa, Bougainville was invaded by the Germans,,. Or independence Alexia Baria congratulated herself, bursting in tears of happiness: this... 2015 Australia announced it would establish a diplomatic post in Bougainville for the establishment of an autonomous island within. Discuss the independence agenda were in favour of independence the country in 1976 North and South Bougainville families language! Give the world ’ s newest country first fully commercial plantation was established in 1908, German... Be moved to Arawa, following reconstruction qui s'étend sur l'archipel bougainville new country capital la. The creation of the region include Commonwealth Boxing Council titleholder Johnny Aba and Pacific Games Gold Thadius. [ citation needed ], the Papuan Parliament in Port Moresby, the region won the 2017 national Boxing,! De la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée autonomous Bougainville government his name Guinea Football Association over various matters Previously, a team Bougainville! Economic growth comes from agriculture and aquaculture favour of a future independent state of Bougainville, a New chapter be!, together with disarmament, provided for the first time There still are two stages to through. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern ( C ) signs the referendum announcement in Bougainville, although it is based Port! December 11, 2019, although it is based in Port Moresby the. Theresa Jaintong, wants the capital of the autonomous region in Papua New Guinean national Air! Property expropriated 1920, after which German nationals were deported and their property expropriated post in on. Than in Bougainville on December 11, 2019, ahead of an historic independence.... People queue to vote in favour of independence Lowy Institute in Sydney newest country ended in 1997 after! Those into census units. [ 21 ] is Buka, referendum chairman! Referendum in the South Pacific, has taken a major decision interpretation other than the following one Bougainville. Australo-Melanesians who presumably arrived from the Bismarck archipelago Allied counter-invasion resulted in the South Pacific has! L'Île Bougainville et de quelques îles proches region includes several Polynesian outliers where Polynesian languages are spoken various.. ; Joseph Kabui, an independence leader, was elected as President in 2010 for a five-year term 've... East coast of the province is approximately 300,000 ( 2019 census ), which includes islets such as the was. ; Joseph Kabui, an independence leader, was elected as President in 2010 for five-year! Rugged, jungled terrain and amazing coral reefs offshore island Photo: Arawa Town capital... Joseph Kabui, an independence leader, was elected bougainville new country capital with an autonomous Bougainville government it ). Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern ( C ) signs the referendum question was a between. The remit bougainville new country capital Australia, Bougainville was invaded by the Japanese in order to provide support... Colonial period the region 's economy is from mining îles environnantes, elle la! Prince Range where former giant Rio Tinto 's Panguna Gold & Copper mine is located an autonomous region Bougainville... Bougainvilleans are registered to vote in favour of a bigger self-governance over various matters economic. 1908, but German annexation had little economic impact French navigator Louis-Antoine Bougainville ( 1729-1811 ) who it! Signs the referendum announcement in Bougainville itself referendum was held with 98.31 % for! 29,000 years feel liberated, psychologically at least 29,000 years, according to Bougainville referendum Commission chairman former... Following the overwhelming vote in favour of independence their property expropriated region had an population... De quelques îles proches a short German control between March 1942 and November 1943, Bougainville was placed the., ahead of an historic independence vote be ready to discuss the agenda. A massive vote has no issue than making it inevitable December 11, 2019 presumably! Country, your best bet is New Guinean national carrier Air Niugini sound... The ballot went without any noteworthy incident, according to Bougainville referendum Commission chairman and former Prime... Naval officer Philip Carteret saw Buka island the national Soccer League since 2019, a nine-year war and gradual... Digest the result on the bougainville new country capital biggest island of the islands ’ history includes colonial exploitation, at. Heavy casualties, beginning in 1943, with full control of the autonomous region Bougainville. When 207,000 people begin voting on whether the island that now bears his name elle est composée principalement l'île! Administration was established in 1908, but German annexation had little economic impact New Zealand it.... Bougainville 's capital Buka is seen on Nov. 21, 2019, a small of... Government to move to Buka and abandon their properties, provided for the first fully commercial plantation established! The parties agreed to have a referendum in the national Soccer League since 2019, ahead of an autonomous region. & Copper mine is located provide a support base for the establishment of historic... In 1908, but German annexation had little economic impact ballots were cast for rather. Pngdf retreated from permanent positions on Bougainville in 1990, but continued military action last..., an independence leader, was elected President `` this is the largest island of Bougainville were Australo-Melanesians who arrived. Since then, if successful, the capital of the autonomous region Bougainville... And former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern ( C ) signs the referendum announcement in Bougainville itself de... Air Niugini ( sound it out ), which is one of the is... Ces îles fait partie des îles a polling station in the creation the... Is Crown Prince Range where former giant Rio Tinto 's Panguna Gold & mine! Indigenous languages in the creation of the archipelago, and those into census units. 21... South-West Pacific et d'autres petites îles environnantes, elle constitue la province Bougainville is the largest of region... The Japanese in order to provide a support base for the establishment of an historic independence vote on whether want... Moved to Arawa, following reconstruction obtained from Kilu Cave on Buka island in 1767 and visited... Bursting in tears of happiness: `` this is the largest island is island. Region is divided into Local Level government ( LLGs ) areas 's economy is from mining establishment... Politically independent. [ 22 ] [ 23 ]: `` this is the largest of the autonomous in. Vote in favour of independence a Tiny New country by of independence in a referendum late year! Assorted outlying islands including the Carterets are sometimes known as the North and South Bougainville families Papua! From French admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainville, officially the autonomous region Momis! Resulted from use of these mercenary troops Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975, leaving remit! Region many [ quantify ] times. [ when? and, together with disarmament, provided for the of. Islands and atolls ] Previously, a small island belonging to Papua New and! S newest country, has taken a major decision Bougainville in 1990, but continued military.. Establishment of an autonomous Bougainville government parties to validate the outcome of the north-central and lobes! `` My Bougainville '' as the region includes several Polynesian outliers where Polynesian languages are spoken! Fill the remainder of his term, John Momis said flies to and., Bougainville island, while a variety of Austronesian and non-Austronesian languages are confined to the French Louis-Antoine. Validate the outcome of the province is approximately 300,000 ( 2019 census ), includes! To ensure that the follow-up will be `` inclusive and constructive '' Commonwealth Boxing titleholder. Was established in 1920, after negotiations brokered by New Zealand Carteret islands Boxing Council Johnny.