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Bougainville's long road to independence

Bougainville's long road to independence

Is the Pacific island of Bougainville ready to become the world's newest country?

The Documentary Podcast · BBC World Service

March 15, 202223m 24s

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Show Notes

How do you create a nation from the ruins of conflict and neglect? It is the question asked by local journalist, Louiseanne Laris, as her home island of Bougainville prepares to become the world’s newest country. Bougainville lies on the very eastern edge of the Pacific country of Papua New Guinea. It is a lush tropical island, rich in natural resources and minerals with a long history of colonisation and occupation. In 2019 more than 98% of Bougainville’s population voted to separate from Papua New Guinea and become fully independent. But does the island have the capacity to govern itself after years of neglect?