Bougainville question is a colonial legacy, not a dispute with PNG, Tsiamalili told parliament

Manasseh Tsiamalili, Papua New Guinea's Minister for Bougainville Affairs, has urged parliamentarians to reframe the ongoing discussions surrounding Bougainville. He asserted that the situation is not a dispute between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, but rather a legacy of colonialism that demands careful statesmanship to navigate.

Tsiamalili encouraged lawmakers to perceive both Papua New Guinea and Bougainville as entities that have jointly inherited the complexities arising from their colonial past. His address emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, viewing the resolution of these inherited issues as a shared responsibility requiring wisdom and foresight.

The minister commended the Bougainville Peace Agreement, highlighting its success in transitioning a historically contentious issue, rooted in the colonial era, into a stable and constitutional framework. This agreement, he noted, has effectively steered the region away from potential conflict towards a peaceful resolution process.

"Neither Bougainville nor Papua New Guinea created this issue," Tsiamalili stated, underscoring that the current challenges stem from historical circumstances beyond their immediate creation. This perspective aims to foster a sense of shared ownership in finding a path forward that respects the historical context and promotes lasting harmony between the two regions.

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Neither Bougainville nor Papua New Guinea created this issue.