Republic of the North Solomons
Encyclopedia
The Republic of the North Solomons (also Republic of North Solomons or North Solomons Republic) was an unrecognised state that existed for about six months in what is now the Bougainville, Papua New Guinea
.
On 1 September 1975, the North Solomons unilaterally declared independence
from the Australia
n-administered territory of Papua New Guinea
, which itself was due to become independent on 16 September.
initially showed no outward concern at Bougainville's stand. The Roman Catholic Church
, the most powerful organization in Bougainville, officially announced its support for the breakaway move. Bougainvilleans have experienced German, British and Australian colonial administrations and missionaries. Neither Papua New Guinea, Australia nor the United Nations recognized the secession and PNG government officials on the island simply ignored it. Following the attempted secession of Bougainville from PNG, the whole of the Western Islands District of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (comprising a third of the population of the Solomon Islands
) asked, through their district Council, to join independent Bougainville.
and it forms part of the Solomon Islands Archipelago.
The declaration of independence followed the discovery some time beforehand of one of the world's largest deposits of copper. The Papua New Guinea Government established the Bougainville Copper mine company in central Bougainville. Bougainville Copper was a subsidiary of Conzinic Rio Tinto of Australia, which in turn was controlled by the giant British company, Rio Tinto Zinc. When the mine was set up the Australia administration backed by armed police allowed prospectors in and told the people their land was being taken over without so much as a discussion or any negotiation.
Bougainville rejoined Papua New Guinea early in 1976.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
.
On 1 September 1975, the North Solomons unilaterally declared independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
from the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n-administered territory of Papua New Guinea
Territory of Papua and New Guinea
The Territory of Papua and New Guinea was established by an administrative union between the Australian-administered territories of Papua and New Guinea in 1949...
, which itself was due to become independent on 16 September.
Reaction
Papua New Guinea's Chief Minister, Mr Michael SomareMichael Somare
Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...
initially showed no outward concern at Bougainville's stand. The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the most powerful organization in Bougainville, officially announced its support for the breakaway move. Bougainvilleans have experienced German, British and Australian colonial administrations and missionaries. Neither Papua New Guinea, Australia nor the United Nations recognized the secession and PNG government officials on the island simply ignored it. Following the attempted secession of Bougainville from PNG, the whole of the Western Islands District of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (comprising a third of the population of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
) asked, through their district Council, to join independent Bougainville.
Context
The Bougainville islanders have always regarded themselves as a separate entity in Papua New Guinea. The people have jet black skins in contrast to the lighter shades of Papuans and New Guineans. The island is 1,000 kilometres east of the mainland and is more closely associated geographically with the Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and it forms part of the Solomon Islands Archipelago.
The declaration of independence followed the discovery some time beforehand of one of the world's largest deposits of copper. The Papua New Guinea Government established the Bougainville Copper mine company in central Bougainville. Bougainville Copper was a subsidiary of Conzinic Rio Tinto of Australia, which in turn was controlled by the giant British company, Rio Tinto Zinc. When the mine was set up the Australia administration backed by armed police allowed prospectors in and told the people their land was being taken over without so much as a discussion or any negotiation.
Bougainville rejoined Papua New Guinea early in 1976.