"On my side, we will push hard for independence because that is the key issue on Bougainville," Mr Toroama said. Now, he will be sworn in as the region's president. It formally ends the 10 year long tenure of John Momis. Toroama stated during the campaign that the negotiations with the PNG government for the independence of Bougainville needed to be conducted quickly, and proposed a timeframe of two to three years. This may be ambitious, given the referendum was non-binding and PNG is reluctant to acquiesce to Bougainville’s independence. Former Rebel Leader Is Elected President of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama is expected to lead talks in the South Pacific autonomous region’s effort to seek independence from Papua New Guinea. "The Internet and social media’s arrival in the region have led to unprecedented levels of grassroots activism across societies.". Inter Press Service. Toroama is highly respected by the people of Bougainville, and having won the election by a massive landslide, is considered the ideal person to fulfill Bougainville’s quest for Independence. India’s foreign trade policy must be aligned to its self-reliance goals. Will the Biden administration finally end the U.S. presence in Afghanistan? Another Mekong dam project threatens to cost the former royal capital its UNESCO World Heritage status. Congratulations to Ishmael Toroama the new President of Bougainville. Added to this is the influence of foreign powers on Bougainville, in particular the diplomatic recognition battle between China and Taiwan. Ms Matbob beat 15 men to claim the seat and said her priority was to pursue independence for Bougainville and deliver health and education to her people. and so the presence of these women should be considered a great advantage to the new president. On October 4, New Caledonia will hold a, on independence from France. The meeting, which is the first to take place in Port Moresby since President Toroama’s election, provided an opportunity for the two Governments to lay the foundations for a successful … It also reveals its weaknesses. Toroama will now head a small caretaker team until all the MPs elected in the August election within the automous region in PNG, are also sworn in, late next week. Last week there were major protests in West Papua, for example, where local movements for independence from Indonesia are keenly observing Bougainville’s trajectory. The meeting is a prelude to a formal proper JSB meeting scheduled for 30 November 30 in Kokopo, East New … His work as president will need to be for the well-being of Melanesia as a whole, not just Bougainville. Chinese attitudes toward immigration are growing more diverse, with many remaining neutral or positive despite alarming headlines. Bougainville leader rejects claims about his business dealings. No doubt Beijing is considering countermeasures to make sure that if Bougainville does become the world’s newest country, they immediately recognize China. On the back of such an overwhelming statement, Bougainvilleans returned to the polls to elect a new president and local parliament. An ongoing independence referendum does not address the key question at the root of the conflict: the future of the Panguna mine. Thirty-two years later, Mr Toroama is the new President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government for the 4 th Bougainville House of Representatives. Mr Toroama said it was an honour to be elected, but that he knew it would be a challenging time. This is tough terrain for Toroama to negotiate as a new leader. Pressure will mount on Papua New Guinea to allow Bougainville to break away as an independent nation after the election of former rebel leader Ishmael Toroama as president of the autonomous region. 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