Bougainville president Ishmael Toroama has been forced to issue a strong condemnation of gun-related violence in the autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, warning lawlessness will not be tolerated and calling on citizens to take full responsibility for their actions.

"The recent surge of gun-related violence in Bougainville cannot go unnoticed," he said in a recent address.

"As a post-conflict region, flare-ups in violence are expected, but we cannot continue to use 'Bougainville is a post-conflict region' as an excuse for violent acts."

Bougainville is looking towards achieving independence by the end of 2027, eight years after a non-binding vote to secede from the Papua New Guinea gained traction from national parliamentarians amid a handshake agreement between the copper and gold-rich region and Port Moresby.

The violence this month, which is erupting in parts of both South and North Bougainville, has led to deaths and the destruction of government property.

A recent robbery in the main street of Buka, the capital of the North Bougainville District, when police confronted armed men - one of whom was killed, sparked President Toroama's public statement.

The president made it clear that Bougainville has come too far since the brutal decade-long civil war to allow such actions to undermine the future peace and stability of an independent state.

"We signed the ceasefire agreement in 1997, the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001, and attained autonomy in 2005," he told the Bougainville people in his address.

"These were not just symbolic milestones; they laid the foundation for peace and also the creation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

"For more than 20 years, Bougainville has experienced relative peace and steady progress under the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

"The argument that we are still a post-conflict region is no longer valid – it does not justify violence in our society."

Bougainville's first attempt at independence – as the Republic of North Solomons – came in 1975 after Papua New Guinea received theirs from Australia that year, but instead it became a part of the new nation, who wanted to retain the separate island for its great mineral wealth.

After years of warring for control of the mines between PNG security forces and rebel separatists from Bougainville, a ceasefire led to the 2001 peace agreement.

Some 20,000 people lost their lives in the war.

The region that is home to around 300,000 people voted 97.7 per cent in favour of declaring independence in the 2019 referendum.

Bougainville's leaders and Papua New Guinea's government agreed in 2021 on the process that would culminate in a "declaration of independence" by 2027. However, key discussions between the two parties have not happened two years out from the proposal and recent violence is further escalating doubts. The national parliament must ultimately ratify the independence declaration for it to take effect.

Mr Toroama stressed that it is time for people to stop blaming government, police or community leaders for the challenges they face.

"Lawlessness is not a failure of governance alone – it is a failure of individuals to uphold the law and to respect one another," he said.

"We cannot keep pointing fingers – every Bougainvillean has a duty to ensure peace in our communities.

"Our people are still very ignorant of this fact and demand to be spoon-fed by the (region's) government and any entity other than themselves.

"This mentality will make Bougainville weak and susceptible to a lack of positive progress and tangible development."

The president urged Bougainville citizens to shift away from being passive recipients of change and instead become active participants in their own development.

"This means abiding by the rule of law, respecting human life, and valuing the peace that we fought so hard to secure," he said.

"We fought a brutal war to secure the safety, dignity, and rights of every Bougainvillean.

"That should serve as a constant reminder that human life is sacred – nothing material is worth taking a life."

Mr Toroama stressed that Bougainville citizens must embrace the peace-building efforts that have been in place for more than two decades and commit to ensuring a future free from violence.

"For over 20 years, we have had time to reflect on the true value of life," he said.

"We must learn from the past and not allow history to repeat itself."

Local leaders in Buka Town and Buin Town, however, have been recognised for largely maintaining calm and order in their communities.

Mr Toroama called on all residents to stand united in the face of adversity and continue working toward a peaceful and prosperous future.

"We must continue to unite and stand firm because Bougainville is destined for greatness," he said.

"The future of Bougainville is in our hands – and we must not allow violence to derail our progress."