Former rebel military commander, Ishmael Toroama has been elected as president of Bougainville, an autonomous region in the South Pacific, according to electoral officials on Wednesday, as the region prepares to begin talks aimed at seeking full independence from Papua New Guinea. 

The monumental elections saw Toroama defeat 24 other candidates including another popular peace-builder, John Tanis, who dropped out mid elections, while the counting process was still ongoing. Toroama will come into power, replacing retiring president John Momis who has dominated Bougainville politics as governor and president for decades. Momis had earlier attempted to defy the constitution by seeking a third term only to be stopped by the Supreme Court. 

“We conducted a clean campaign, we did not give money to the voters and we did not intimidate any voters: people have used their God-given wisdom to vote for the right candidate,” Toroama said after his victory was announced. “I will stand up for independence in Bougainville… it is now time to work together.”

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape has also offered his congratulations on Toroama’s “conclusive” victory. “I offer my support to work with you to deliver on my commitments to Bougainville,” he said. “[And] to the people of Bougainville, thank you for your peace and serenity as you decided on your government. Looking forward to working with your leaders, including the president.”

Imminent Independence Talks for Bougainville 

This is the first election since Bougainville voted overwhelmingly for independence from PNG at the end of last year. According to reports, more than 98% of voters cast their votes in support of independence in the non-binding referendum. However, this independence now needs to be negotiated – a plan that seems to be on Toroama’s agenda – with Papua New Guinea, which seems reluctant to lose one of its major resource providers as Bougainville is known for its Panguna gold and copper mine.