Tag:GS 3 || Geography || World Geography || Australia

Why in news?

Soon Bougainville is going to be the youngest country in the world with the highest population of young people in the country.

Presently: the youngest nation as of now is south Sudan (capital –juba), established in 2011.

South Sudan:

South Sudan declared independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after a bloody civil war with the ethnically Arab north that had lasted decades.

A thumping 99 per cent people voted for independence in the referendum and the new country was swiftly recognised by the international community. However, despite gaining independence, the country is plagued by poverty and ethnic clashes.

Title to shift from south Sudan to Bougainville:

South Sudan could be soon losing its title of being youngest nation to Bougainville. Lakh of people here are voting for independence under UN from Papua New Guinea.

Autonomous region of Bougainville:

About 207,000 Bougainvillea’s are registered to vote and decide whether the Island will become the world’s newest country.

Their choice is between full independence from greater autonomy within PNG.

Their choice is between full independence of greater autonomy within PNG.

Bougainville is not completely the part of Papua New Guinea but an autonomous territory.

They are self-governed, defence and foreign affair ministry is handled by Papua New Guniea. Local administration is under the control of Bougainville.

Why Bougainville wants freedom:

They want freedom because they see themselves capable of becoming rich and strong economy

40% revenue of Papua New Guinea comes from the export of copper; one of the main mines of copper is situated in Bougainville.

Bougainville wants to export the copper from their island alone, so the wealth generated by copper export can be used by the country for their own prosperity and growth

The 1988-1998 war had its roots in a struggle over revenues from the now-shuttered Panguna copper mine, which at one point accounted for more than 40 percent of PNG’s exports. The mine is estimated to still hold more than five million tonnes of copper and 19 million ounces of gold worth billions of dollars at current market prices.

Who controls that wealth is likely to be vital in determining whether a newly-born Bougainville succeeds.

Long road to freedom:

The vote caps a 2001 peace deal that ended a brutal decade-long war between Bougainville rebels, PNG security forces and foreign mercenaries.

Up to 20,000 people were killed in the fighting, with thousands more displaced from their homes.

What is stake for Australia, china and the United States?

There are certainly prominent Bougainvillea’s who see a great deal of unrealized potential in developing relations with China

Australia and U.S see this as a threat as Bougainville is near to the Australia as china has already signed deal on Tulagi island and is taken on lease in may happen in future that Bougainville too become part of china as china is exporter of copper

Additional indo:

Copper mines in Bougainville is Panguna mine

Mains related question:

What is the dispute between Papua New Guinea and Bougainvillea? What is the demand of bougainvillea? What is concern for US and Australia but profitable to china all this dispute? (150 words)