- Bougainville was forcibly incorporated into Papua New Guinea in 1975 against the wishes of many Bougainvilleans who desired independence.
- They felt marginalized politically and economically with little control over their resources like copper
Environmental Issues:
- The Panguna mine caused widespread environmental damage , affecting local ecosystems, water sources, and livelihoods
Unsatisfied Referendum:
-In the 2019 non-binding referendum, over 98% of the population of Bougainville voted in favor of independence which PNG refused to acknowledge