Papua New Guinea will bring in former New Zealand governor-general and senior diplomat Sir Jerry Mateparae to help resolve a deep impasse over Bougainville's political future.
Last week Papua New Guinea's government announced that it had reached an agreement with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) over who would be appointed as the moderator in the negotiations over the province's determined push for full independence.
PNG did not announce who the moderator was, but three government sources with knowledge of the negotiations have told the ABC that Sir Jerry Mateparae had been chosen for the critical position.
Both Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville authorities are expected to make the announcement in the coming days, although that may be disrupted by a looming vote of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape.
Constitutional lawyer Anthony Regan said Sir Jerry, who has Maori heritage, was an experienced diplomat and was widely respected in the region.
The former governor-general played a central role as a mediator in negotiations for a permanent ceasefire between Bougainville and PNG in 1998, at the end of the crisis.
Professor Regan said Sir Jerry would "fit the bill" for the position.
"He's got runs on the board in that process of assisting and resolving difficult issues … there's a feeling that he has the standing in the eyes of people as well," he said.
While 97.7 per cent of Bougainville's people voted for independence, the referendum was non-binding and it must be ratified by PNG's parliament.
Sir Jerry will be tasked with resolving a dispute between the two parties over the majority needed in parliament to give effect to the vote.
While PNG claims a two-thirds absolute majority is needed, the ABG has argued a simple majority is sufficient.
One source close to the negotiations said it was "difficult to see a way forward" from the dispute, and there was a risk the discussions could "fall over" unless a compromise was reached.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama told the ABC's The Pacific that it would be "very shameful" if PNG's parliament failed to endorse the result, given the overwhelming vote for independence.
He also warned that people in the province could "revolt" if they felt like their vote was ignored and they were being locked out of the political process, although he stressed that did not mean they would "go to war".
"The sentiment of the people, if [the political solution] sits properly within that space, I think they will accept [it]" he said.
"But if it does not fit well into that space, then you will see people revolt."
Professor Regan said Sir Jerry could also play a wider role in negotiating an agreement between the parties before it went to the floor of parliament.
"Then the moderator will be playing a significant role in what is, internationally, a most unusual situation of such a high vote for independence … not to be binding," he said.
"There's a very unusual process now, since 2019, of trying to reach agreement on what happens after such a strong expression [of desire for independence] that is not binding."
ABG Attorney-General Ezekiel Masatt did not confirm the appointment but said the moderator would "help mediate" between both governments.
"Even though it was a long process to get nominations, the selection was very quick," he told the ABC's The Pacific.
"We had 15 candidates but quickly went to two and the candidate we picked has good institutional memory on Bougainville's agenda."
The ABC has also approached Mr Marape's office for comment on the appointment, but it has not yet responded to the ABC's questions.
The ABC also attempted to contact Sir Jerry, but could not reach him.
A spokesperson from New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said they "welcomed indications Sir Jerry Mateparae is the preferred United Nations moderator, to assist the governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville chart a path forward for Bougainville's future".
"We understand there are several administrative steps to be taken before the position is confirmed," they said.
"Sir Jerry comes with sound credentials, including having formerly served as governor-general of New Zealand, former chief of Defence Force of New Zealand, and former commander of the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville."
