Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the National Constitution, during the recent high-level consultation held at Burnham, New Zealand. Prime Minister Marape met with the leadership of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), led by President Ishmael Toroama, in a critical dialogue that marked a significant milestone in the post-referendum process under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and Section 14 of the National Constitution. “Let us never forget that we are all peacemakers,” Prime Minister Marape said. “The 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement enshrined a path forward for unity and peace, and the Constitution provides us with a lawful and peaceful way to navigate the sensitive outcomes of the 2019 Referendum.” The Prime Minister emphasized that while 97.7% of Bougainvilleans voted for full political independence in the 2019 Referendum, the Agreement clearly stipulates a two-stage process — referendum followed by post-referendum consultations — culminating in a decision by the National Parliament. “At no point does the Peace Agreement or Constitution suggest that a referendum result, however overwhelming, is automatically binding,” Prime Minister Marape clarified. “Section 342 of the Constitution requires post-referendum consultations. Parliament is not a rubberstamp; it is a sovereign body of national leaders who must now consider the result and make a determination." He acknowledged that some expectations initially misunderstood this process, expecting the Parliament to simply ratify the referendum outcome. However, through continued dialogue, the ABG and National Government now share a clearer understanding of the constitutional process. “I carry the referendum result in my bosom, not only as Prime Minister, but as a Member of Parliament,” he said. “But when it comes before the House, I too will be reduced to one vote — the vote of the Member for Tari-Pori, it will be up to the collective wisdom of Parliament to decide our national future.” Prime Minister Marape praised the resilience of the peace process and reaffirmed the commitment to continued consultations under the framework of the Constitution. He noted that there is no fixed timeframe under the Constitution for concluding consultations, allowing the space for genuine national consensus to be built. “In the wisdom of the crafters of the 2001 Peace Agreement, they entered that the two sides consult each other after the Referendum to find an amicable solution without offending the full gamut of our National Constitution. The important thing is that we remain engaged, respectful, and lawful.” “This process belongs not just to the Executive Arm of Government, but to the entire National Parliament and our people.” Prime Minister Marape concluded with a solemn reflection on the responsibility of leadership stating that as the Prime Minister, it is his duty to uphold the Constitution, to defend the unity and integrity of Papua New Guinea. “To walk this journey of peace together with our brothers and sisters from Bougainville, there is still much work ahead, but our foundation remains firm — one of dialogue, respect, and constitutional order.”