Part 3/12:
Local resentment towards exploitation by foreign miners led to significant civil unrest and a brutal civil war that lasted from 1988 to 1998, claiming the lives of 15,000 to 20,000 Bougainvilleans. After the conflict, a peace agreement in 2000 granted Bougainville autonomous governance, culminating in a non-binding referendum on independence held in December 2019. An overwhelming 98% of Bougainvilleans voted for independence, albeit under a timeline ratified by the PNG parliament. Discussions are underway to solidify this transition, with deadlines for full independence set for 2027.