Papua New Guinea celebrated their Independence Day on Monday, 49 years after the Australian flag was lowered in Port Moresby and replaced by that of the newly independent nation.
The country, the only external colony to have been administered by Australia, gained its independence in 1975, with a ceremony attended by then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and King (then Prince) Charles.
On Monday, hundreds of residents gathered at Independence Hill in the capital to witness the flag raising ceremony, which started at 5am, before Prime Minister James Marape spoke to a crowd and people across the nation in a national address.
"[In] 1975, Papua New Guinea raised its own flag and took its place among the sovereign nations of the world," Mr Marape said.
Across the country, residents celebrated - with celebrations beginning late last week - and the ABC reported religious groups, school children and thousands of others gathered at Independence Hill from 3am.
The University of Papua New Guinea's VC Oval in Port Moresby played host to traditional dances from students from across the country, as well as a performance by local musician Estapacifica.
Still celebrating from the visit of Pope Francis earlier this month, the Post Courier reported the Governor of West Sepik in north-westernmost Papua New Guinea had renamed the Vanimo town oval "Pope Francis Oval" during the flag raising ceremony.
Standing in front of the National Parliament Building, itself celebrating its 40th anniversary, Mr Marape acknowledged the "country that birthed us - the Australian people" before paying respect to the country's development partners.
"49 years ago, you joined us in our March for freedom in our march for development in our march to ensure no child is left behind every child is given an equal opportunity in our country," he told the crowd.
"It was not too long ago when our fathers and mothers decided to forge the most diverse nation on the face of planet Earth into one unity."
The Independence Day celebrations come in stark contrast to the difficulties facing the country, which has seen violence in the Enga Province, near the Porgera gold mine, in recent days.
RNZ reported at least 20 people have been killed and hundreds of women and children displaced after four days of clashes between two clans in the province.
"This level of violence is unprecedented. Random people are being killed and criminal elements have taken control of the town," an unnamed community member told RNZ.
The Prime Minister said it was the "sons of the country" who needed to take responsibility when faced with the "travesty of lawlessness", before pivoting and thanking the "peace loving people of our country".
"Thank you to the rest of our country, who have remained committed to the ideals of democracy; of unity; of free spirit; of tolerance to diversity; of respect to each other," he said.
"If the sons can respect your sister in your neighbourhood; your mother, your auntie in your neighbourhood; then this country is certainly a better place, and you will make my job and all the jobs of all our civil servants much easier as we unite as one people going forward."
The nation, which is home to over 800 languages, was born as an independent country after leaders, in deciding for independence, travelled across the world to study the decolonisation process in Africa.
The Prime Minister said the 49 years had not been without difficulties, which has seen independence movements in Bougainville, as well as violence, poverty, and corruption, which he noted "continue to test us as a nation".
"However, each challenge is also an opportunity-an opportunity to do better, to serve our people more effectively, and to chart a brighter course for future generations," Mr Marape said.
