The Governor of the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, John Momis, is the first to announce his candidacy for the presidency in May's historic first elections for an autonomous government.
Mr Momis says he will resign from the national parliament early next month to be the candidate for a new party called the New Bougainville Party.
He says the name reflects the long time vision of the people of Bougainville.
"The people of Bougainville always dream of one day creating new Bougainville, a new society - that is their vision."
There are no indications yet who else is contesting the presidency but Mr Momis says he expects that Joseph Kabui, who heads the People's Congress, will enter the race.
