Prime Minister James Marape said, the main issue regarding Bougainville’s Independence is how to adhere fully to the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the Papua New Guinea Constitution. PM Marape made this statement in Parliament during a debate on Bougainville, which saw active participation from both sides of the house. He emphasized that Parliament will decide on Bougainville’s independence in accordance with the PNG constitution. He urged Bougainvilleans to consider the PNG perspective and for Papua New Guineas to understand the Bougainville perspective, emphasizing unity as the Christians and Melanesians. “This will allow us to find a common ground at some place, not now, but as we journey together into the future.” He highlighted that the PNG Constitution, established before the independence in 1975, defines the sovereignty that the country enjoys today. Marape noted that those who drafted the BPA in 2001 included provisions for the PNG parliament to ratify the results of the Bougainville Referendum, which took place in 2019. In this referendum, 97.7% of Bougainvilleans voted in favor of Independence from PNG. “This is the issue we are grappling with." " There is nothing to fear about bringing the results of the Bougainville Referendum to the floor of parliament,” said Marape. He assured that each Member of Parliament (MP) would express their stance through a vote. “A vote on the sovereignty of our nation is a constitutional vote.” He also expressed concern that other provinces with autonomy might seek independence from PNG, stating, “Bougainville is a pacesetter for our country." "We must ring-fence the rest of the country.” He clarified that there are no time limitations regarding the issue of Bougainville’s independence and one day the Parliament will make a decision. “Each of you MPs will be asked to make a call on this issue and there will be no place of hiding as each of us will be required to stand up." "The only thing that is holding us back is the constitutional law requirement for a vote and ordinary law requirement for a vote.” PM Marape concluded by stating that Bougainville and PNG had agreed to involve a mediator to determine the necessary number required for a decision.