Francesca Semoso won the available seat for North Bougainville in a by-election last week, making her the third woman to serve in the national parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Additionally, the MP-elect becomes the first Bougainville woman to be elected to the national parliament of PNG.
After William Nakin unexpectedly passed away in July of last year—having won the seat but passing away during the vote count—a by-election was held.
Semoso was originally a broadcaster and served in the Bougainville parliament twice, holding positions of authority.
As a member of the national parliament, the new MP has already told RNZ Pacific that her primary goal will be to support the area in its quest for independence from PNG.
Following Nakin’s passing, ABG President Ishmael Toroama declared, “Our people of North Bougainville were deprived of the right of representation in the National Parliament for more than a year.”
He expressed his happiness that North Bougainville residents would now have representation in the national assembly.
Semoso was originally a broadcaster and served in the Bougainville parliament twice, holding positions of authority.
“Semoso has a long history in politics. She is a seasoned politician in Bougainville, having been elected twice to the Bougainville House of Representatives as the Woman Representative for North Bougainville. Her first tenure was in the First House, and her second term was in the Third House.
“Semoso is a fervent supporter of Bougainville’s quest for political independence from Papua New Guinea, as well as social issues and progressive development. To the best of her abilities, she will advocate for Bougainville’s independence goals on the National Parliament floor, he stated.
Toroama declared that “the leadership vacuum in Bougainville has now been filled” following Semoso’s victory.
“The Autonomous Bougainville Government and the National Parliament of Bougainville’s leaders must work together to fulfill the aspiration of our people, which is to establish an Independent Sovereign State of Bougainville.
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