The President of Bougainville, John Momis, says he wants to contest this year's Bougainville election because the people have pleaded with him to stay.
He says the people want him leading Bougainville in the consultations over the results of the referendum last November on independence from Papua New Guinea.
Mr Momis has been president since 2010 and is currently barred, by the Bougainville Constutition, from standing for a third term.
There has been controversy, with the parliament rejecting a push to change the constitution, and Mr Momis seeking a ruling from the PNG Supreme Court on whether that is legitimate.
Bougainville President John Momis Photo: supplied
