The Election of Josephine Getsi - Making Political History in Bougainville

Abstract

In May–June 2015, the third Bougainville election since the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) was held. The ABG, inaugurated in 2005, is a result of the peace agreement that ended the decade-long Bougainville conflict in 2001. There was a great deal of interest in the 2015 election within Bougainville and internationally, as it marked the beginning of a fiveyear window during which the peace agreement mandates that a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea be held. The government sworn in on 15 June will have much responsibility in a crucial period for Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and the wider region.