A new star on the world map / The autonomous region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea has overwhelmingly voted for independence

The autonomous region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea has taken a significant step towards independence, according to Reuters. The country's parliament will review the results of a consultative referendum in which 97.7% of voters supported secession in 2019. This stage was made possible after years of negotiations between the central government and regional authorities.

For the referendum result to be validated, the Parliament of Papua New Guinea must ratify it, and the analysis began on Thursday, without a set date for the vote. Leaders in Bougainville aim to achieve a greater degree of self-governance by 2027 and complete sovereignty by 2030.

The desire for independence is fueled by grievances related to the control of profits from the closed Panguna mine and a devastating civil war that occurred in the past. The conflict ended with a peace agreement in 2001, which included organizing a referendum for independence.