by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has formally requested support from the Vatican in its quest for political independence from Papua New Guinea.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama presented a letter advocating for Pope Francis’s assistance to Bishop Darius Kaluza of the Bougainville Catholic Diocese during the Pope’s recent visit to PNG.
In the letter, Toroama outlined Bougainville’s enduring struggle for self-determination, referencing a 2019 referendum where 97.7 percent of voters supported independence.
“Bougainville’s history is characterized by a relentless fight for autonomy,” Toroama noted, mentioning past appeals to the United Nations and previous independence declarations.
He indicated that consultations on the referendum results between the national and Bougainville governments are nearing completion, aiming to obtain approval from Papua New Guinea’s parliament.
The letter highlighted that more than 70 percent of Bougainvilleans are Catholics, underlining Pope Francis’s significant global influence.
“Your voice has great power,” Toroama remarked, seeking the Pope’s support to raise international awareness of Bougainville’s independence aspirations.
He expressed sincere gratitude for the Pope’s leadership and compassion, emphasizing the importance of Bougainville’s path towards a “sustainable future” founded on reconciliation and the people’s will.
Bishop Kaluza will deliver the letter to Rome for presentation to the Vatican’s head of state.
