We Melanesians Just Can't Coexist Peacefully In A Smaller Space
As Melanesians and by nature, we are ‘a quarrelsome lot’. Our history has shown that we tend to stay in our own small spaces. That ‘small space’ is going to get overcrowded over time as population increases and the world shrinks thanks to advancement of communication technology. Coupled with the adaptation of ‘modern democracy’ that increasingly recognizes and give prominence to the rights and interest of individuals, and all of these being propagated by advancing communication technology, and by our quarrelsome nature; these all will pit individuals against individuals and individual ambition against the collective interest of the group. This shrinking into smaller countries increases the chances of further escalating conflicts and further fragmentations. A bigger country provides the ‘open plains’ for ambitious individuals and splinter groups to release pressure by roaming out freely and this reduces the chance of conflict within the small splinter groups and smaller country.
After secession from PNG what guarantee is there to prevent further fragmentation of those provinces seeking to become independent countries?
The late Bernard Narokobi in his discourse ‘The Melanesian Way’ forewarned that "Melanesians are not and have never been slaves to [practices of injustice that suppress them], if they believed these were obstructing them. They liberate themselves by establishing new communities with new hopes and future."
It is riskier for AROB (or any other provinces in PNG) to break away from PNG. Not for the economic and distributive injustice reasons but more so for reasons of long-term social peaceful coexistence. Fragmentation lines become more pronounced when we get smaller and smaller. This is evident in Bougainville at the moment. Already in AROB and especially in South Bougainville, there exist the twin kingdoms of Papaala and Me'ekamui with Noah Masingku as King. What is stopping this faction to declare an independent country once AROB becomes an independent country? Our nature as Melanesians presents an inherent real threat of further fragmentations in smaller spaces.
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Truth is the knowledge of things as they are and this is our truth.
In the link below I explored more on why "PNG Provinces Need PNG More Than PNG Need Its Provinces."
O'SIRI Consultancy is a new consultancy business firm that operates out of Port Moresby offering tailored made training programs in Fisheries, Agribusiness, M&E on Statistical Data Analysis, Gender Programming, & IR
8 个月Hi Gilbert, I think much of this article content and points raised are based on fearmongering and at times carries a paternalistic tone like a parent scolding a child. I also think it carries too much "Macho-Power" undercurrents in the article. In sum, I don't agree with your assessment. Give Bougainville Independence. There's nothing to be afraid on granting Bougainville Independence going forward.
Audit & Assurance Director | CPA Australia, CPA PNG
10 个月In Central, I've not really seen what the government actually does for Central Province beyond maintaining roads that were constructed prior to Independence. So not sure how Central Province needs the Government in its current form.
The next very important question is; Is Bougainville truly ready for political independence?
Aspiring Engineer
10 个月Great article Sir. GENERALLY,, the need to be recognised as a leader in this Melanesian "big man" society makes individuals push for their own agenda rather than the interest of a group as you mentioned.