PNG and Bougainville leaders sign Melanesian Agreement to guide peace process

Prime Minister James Marape and Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama have signed the important Melanesian Agreement in Port Moresby. The agreement sets a peaceful and clear path for the next steps in the Bougainville peace process.

The signing was witnessed by Moderator Sir Jerry Mateparae, government ministers, members of the Bougainville Parliamentary Committee, senior officials, and international partners, including the United Nations and foreign diplomats.

“We Honour the Law and Respect Bougainville’s Voice Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the National Government’s total adherence to the constitutional process, stating that the Bougainville issue must proceed according to the provisions of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, now enshrined in Part XIV of the Constitution,” PM Marape said.

He called the 97.7% referendum result clear and decisive, but said it still needs to go through legal approval.

“The people of Bougainville have expressed their will through the referendum, and we fully respect that. However, our Constitution outlines a clear process—we must conduct consultations and present the outcome to Parliament, which holds final decision-making authority. As Prime Minister, I cannot bypass or override that process.”

The Melanesian Agreement will guide the two governments as they finish talks and prepare a report for Parliament.

Prime Minister Marape called it a joint and ongoing step, not the final one.

“This is not an agreement to divide us—it is a roadmap to guide us through the remaining stages, grounded in constitutional integrity and mutual understanding. Our ultimate goal is to reach a destination that respects Bougainville’s aspirations while preserving the legal foundation of our nation.”

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have shared strong ties since long before the country was formed in 1975.

“Before there was a constitution, before there was a country called Papua New Guinea, there were Melanesian people living in this part of the earth. We lived on the mainland, on the islands, and in the Pacific. The Melanesian concept of people is inherent—we were already sovereign in our way.”

He stressed that Papua New Guineans and Bougainvilleans are "people of the same stock," and that the constitutional process must reflect both modern governance and traditional values.

“We don’t have to fear the past or the future. Let’s jointly work together. The constitutional process is clear. Respect for the authority of our Constitution is paramount.”