Loud cheers and singing erupted as it was announced Bougainville had voted overwhelmingly in favour of becoming independent from Papua New Guinea. Bougainville Referendum Commission’s chair Bertie Ahern read out the results, with 176,928 in favour of independence and just over 3,000 voting against. Although 98% of people voted for independence, the region faces a long process ahead before it can become world’s newest nation.
