PNGBLOGS

Buckingham Palace, the headquarter of the Commonwealth which PNG is a member, has reportedly refused to recognize Jeffery Nape as the acting Governor General or acting Head of State. That's from sources within the Government House, who've opted to remain anonymous from fear of reprisal. They say Buckingham Palace will not entertain any instruments signed by Mr Nape, nor the O'Neil government since it still recognizes Sir Michael Ogio as the Governor General, and Sir Michael Somare as the prime minister of PNG. The sources say Buckingham Palace was informed of the situation here in PNG, and will not entertain instruments to suspend or dismiss Sir Michael Ogio. The sources also say the British High Commission here is not happy with the way the constitution was trampled on, especially by members of parliament who had sworn to uphold and protect it. The governor general is a representative of a queen or a king, in a Commonwealth member state. Meanwhile,

Buckingham Palace, the headquarter of the Commonwealth which PNG is a member, has reportedly refused to recognize Jeffery Nape as the acting Governor General or acting Head of State. That's from sources within the Government House, who've opted to remain anonymous from fear of reprisal. They say Buckingham Palace will not entertain any instruments signed by Mr Nape, nor the O'Neil government since it still recognizes Sir Michael Ogio as the Governor General, and Sir Michael Somare as the prime minister of PNG. The sources say Buckingham Palace was informed of the situation here in PNG, and will not entertain instruments to suspend or dismiss Sir Michael Ogio. The sources also say the British High Commission here is not happy with the way the constitution was trampled on, especially by members of parliament who had sworn to uphold and protect it. The governor general is a representative of a queen or a king, in a Commonwealth member state. Mean

O'Neill/Namah...In control of Government The O'Neill/Namah group has now taken over as the legitimate government of Papua New Guinea.The group this afternoon entered the Morauta House which was occupied by the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his group for the last few days during this political impasse.The move was possible after police personnel who were providing security for the Somare group, reconciled and surrendered their arms and vehicles at police headquarters at Konedobu this morning.The O'Neill group, after the parliament session this morning adjourned for lunch, and after lunch went to Morauta House. Meanwhile, police are providing security at several government institutions, including putting up random road blocks and routine patrols in the city. Suspened GG signed army callout for 3 months,  Military not interested Sir Michael Ogio, suspended by the parliament elected prime minister Peter O'Neil, has signed instruments for a military call out.The call ou

O'Neill/Namah...In control of Government The O'Neill/Namah group has now taken over as the legitimate government of Papua New Guinea.The group this afternoon entered the Morauta House which was occupied by the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his group for the last few days during this political impasse.The move was possible after police personnel who were providing security for the Somare group, reconciled and surrendered their arms and vehicles at police headquarters at Konedobu this morning.The O'Neill group, after the parliament session this morning adjourned for lunch, and after lunch went to Morauta House. Meanwhile, police are providing security at several government institutions, including putting up random road blocks and routine patrols in the city. Suspened GG signed army callout for 3 months,  Military not interested Sir Michael Ogio, suspended by the parliament elected prime minister Peter O'Neil, has signed instruments for a military call out.

Taking over... Team O'Neill is just moving in to Morauta Haus now... Team Somare is outnumbered and is moving out at the same time. There is heavy Police presence. O'Neil team have occupied Morauta house, Somare supporters kicked out. Team O'Neill/Namah adjourned Parliament to 10am Monday, 19 December, 2011 and then convoyed in bus/car loads to Morauta Haus at about 3:40pm. At Morauta Haus, GC Somare was nowhere to be found.  Even his group were not there but only Marape, Embel and Lady Kidu. These three were told to move out and in which they did. Team O'Neill/Namah held a brief NEC Meeting and then moved out.  

Taking over... Team O'Neill is just moving in to Morauta Haus now... Team Somare is outnumbered and is moving out at the same time. There is heavy Police presence. O'Neil team have occupied Morauta house, Somare supporters kicked out. Team O'Neill/Namah adjourned Parliament to 10am Monday, 19 December, 2011 and then convoyed in bus/car loads to Morauta Haus at about 3:40pm. At Morauta Haus, GC Somare was nowhere to be found.  Even his group were not there but only Marape, Embel and Lady Kidu. These three were told to move out and in which they did. Team O'Neill/Namah held a brief NEC Meeting and then moved out.  

Betha Somare The world press freedom watchdog Reporters Sans Frontiers in Paris has received a very disturbing complaint about blatant political interference in reporting the current PNG crisis.  The complainant claims that Betha Somare ordered NBC to cut off the live feed of Kundu TV during the Parlimentary session when allegations of corruption in Somare's team were to be aired. It is also claimed NBC journalists have been threatened about reporting these corruption claims.  News coming in, PM O'Neill confirmed police have withdrawn their road blocks in key Government areas. His Cabinet (NEC) will be holding its first NEC meeting at 3pm at the Morauta Haus today. The Armed Robbery Response Unit (ARRU) of the Police Force had just surrendered arms and have reported to Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga. The ARRU have been supporting Fred Yakasa and Team Somare. Signs of good things coming now! The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress meanwhile its

Betha Somare The world press freedom watchdog Reporters Sans Frontiers in Paris has received a very disturbing complaint about blatant political interference in reporting the current PNG crisis.  The complainant claims that Betha Somare ordered NBC to cut off the live feed of Kundu TV during the Parlimentary session when allegations of corruption in Somare's team were to be aired. It is also claimed NBC journalists have been threatened about reporting these corruption claims.  News coming in, PM O'Neill confirmed police have withdrawn their road blocks in key Government areas. His Cabinet (NEC) will be holding its first NEC meeting at 3pm at the Morauta Haus today. The Armed Robbery Response Unit (ARRU) of the Police Force had just surrendered arms and have reported to Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga. The ARRU have been supporting Fred Yakasa and Team Somare. Signs of good things coming now! The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress m

Peter O'Niell and the MPs come out to meet protestors. Suspended Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, has been asked to resign or face the sack after failing to swear-in Mr O'Neill as Prime Minister.Mr O'Neill made the announcement at the civic gathering in Port Moresby today, for a public petition to the disputing parties, to resolve the political impasse.Sir Michael had promised the O'Neill camp on Tuesday, to mediate a meeting between the disputing parties, only to back track, thus angering the O'Neill camp.Mr O'Neill says, a Governor General can only act on the Parliament and NEC advise, but since the Vice Regal failed by entertaining the Somare camp's swearing-in, he faces the sack.Despite his suspension, Sir Michael was to have sworn in four more Ministers for the court-restored Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare Cabinet. The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress has given the O'Neil and Somare government factions a 48 hour ultimatum to settle the cu

Peter O'Niell and the MPs come out to meet protestors. Suspended Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, has been asked to resign or face the sack after failing to swear-in Mr O'Neill as Prime Minister.Mr O'Neill made the announcement at the civic gathering in Port Moresby today, for a public petition to the disputing parties, to resolve the political impasse.Sir Michael had promised the O'Neill camp on Tuesday, to mediate a meeting between the disputing parties, only to back track, thus angering the O'Neill camp.Mr O'Neill says, a Governor General can only act on the Parliament and NEC advise, but since the Vice Regal failed by entertaining the Somare camp's swearing-in, he faces the sack.Despite his suspension, Sir Michael was to have sworn in four more Ministers for the court-restored Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare Cabinet. The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress has given the O'Neil and Somare government factions a 48 hour ultimatum to settle

O'Neill address the crowd Part of the group that turned up ANDY BAWA and Police Personel keeping order Defiant!

O'Neill address the crowd Part of the group that turned up ANDY BAWA and Police Personel keeping order Defiant!

O'NEILL NOW GIVING ORDERS... Both leaders in Papua New Guinea's constitutional crisis claim to be the legitimate Prime Minister with neither side backing down. Peter O'Neill has ordered up to 150 police to take control of government offices, declaring with the backing of his cabinet that he is in control of the Papua New Guinean government. At a press conference in parliament today, Mr O'Neill revoked a late night order by Sir Michael Somare to reinstate his police commissioner Fred Yakasa. "Seeking government from the barrel of a gun is unacceptable," Mr O'Neill told reporters. Peter O’Neill ... ordered in police."We don't do this in this country." Mr O'Neill said 70 officers had been flown from areas outside Port Moresby and he expected it to grow to 200. He said he expected police to carry out their duty should Sir Michael refuse to leave, but stressed there was nothing stopping his minority government from coming to parliament. "

O'NEILL NOW GIVING ORDERS... Both leaders in Papua New Guinea's constitutional crisis claim to be the legitimate Prime Minister with neither side backing down. Peter O'Neill has ordered up to 150 police to take control of government offices, declaring with the backing of his cabinet that he is in control of the Papua New Guinean government. At a press conference in parliament today, Mr O'Neill revoked a late night order by Sir Michael Somare to reinstate his police commissioner Fred Yakasa. "Seeking government from the barrel of a gun is unacceptable," Mr O'Neill told reporters. Peter O’Neill ... ordered in police."We don't do this in this country." Mr O'Neill said 70 officers had been flown from areas outside Port Moresby and he expected it to grow to 200. He said he expected police to carry out their duty should Sir Michael refuse to leave, but stressed there was nothing stopping his minority government from coming to parliament.

State Solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea has recognized Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as the legitimate Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, amidst the current confusion and leadership tussle over the country's top executive job. NBC News has obtained a letter by Mr. Rolpagarea to Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, asking him to quote "observe and give full" effect to the Monday's Supreme Court decision. A copy of that letter has also been sent to Peter O'Neil, and his cabinet. The same document may have been sent to all heads of foreign missions in the country. Its understood, the Governor General had acted according to this advise, which got him purportedly sacked yesterday afternoon, by Parliament. Meanwhile, the O'Neill/Namah government says it was a mistake for the Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio, to receive advice from sources other than the National Executive Council and or Parliament. Doctor Allan Marat says it was wrong for the State Solicitor, Daniel Rol

State Solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea has recognized Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as the legitimate Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, amidst the current confusion and leadership tussle over the country's top executive job. NBC News has obtained a letter by Mr. Rolpagarea to Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, asking him to quote "observe and give full" effect to the Monday's Supreme Court decision. A copy of that letter has also been sent to Peter O'Neil, and his cabinet. The same document may have been sent to all heads of foreign missions in the country. Its understood, the Governor General had acted according to this advise, which got him purportedly sacked yesterday afternoon, by Parliament. Meanwhile, the O'Neill/Namah government says it was a mistake for the Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio, to receive advice from sources other than the National Executive Council and or Parliament. Doctor Allan Marat says it was wrong for the State Solicito

Papua New Guinea created history yet again today, when Parliament suspended the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, for refusing to swear-in Peter O'Neil, as Prime Minister.The O'Neil Cabinet met after lunch today, deciding on the fate of the G-G and then went ahead with the decision, after Parliament resumed, this afternoon.The Governor-General was summoned this morning by Parliament to swear in Mr O'Neil at around two o'clock, but he refused saying, he only recognizes the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, as the legitimate Prime Minister.Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape, will now be the acting Governor-General, with all likelihood of him swearing-in Peter O'Neil, as the Prime Minister. Well known Activist, Noel Anjo tells PNGFM that they will be peacefully gathering at Waigani today to petition the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio to immediately intervene into the current political crises and immediately call for the two current Prime Ministers to come together i

Papua New Guinea created history yet again today, when Parliament suspended the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, for refusing to swear-in Peter O'Neil, as Prime Minister.The O'Neil Cabinet met after lunch today, deciding on the fate of the G-G and then went ahead with the decision, after Parliament resumed, this afternoon.The Governor-General was summoned this morning by Parliament to swear in Mr O'Neil at around two o'clock, but he refused saying, he only recognizes the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, as the legitimate Prime Minister.Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape, will now be the acting Governor-General, with all likelihood of him swearing-in Peter O'Neil, as the Prime Minister. Well known Activist, Noel Anjo tells PNGFM that they will be peacefully gathering at Waigani today to petition the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio to immediately intervene into the current political crises and immediately call for the two current Prime Ministers to come together

The Queen could be called in to settle a bizarre political deadlock in Papua New Guinea which has left the country with two rival Prime Ministers and two governors-general. While either of the two sides could seek the royal assent to their choice as governor-general, the Queen is likely to try to avoid a decision until the turmoil resolves internally. Experts said Buckingham Palace will be very unlikely to put phone calls from the Pacific nation through to the Queen. The Palace was drawn in to the unfolding turmoil after the PNG parliament voted to suspend the Queen's representative, Sir Michael Ogio, following his decision to back Sir Michael Somare to be prime minister. Instead, the Parliament supported the Speaker as acting governor-general and he swiftly swore in a rival contender, Peter O'Neill, as prime minister. A constitutional expert, Anne Twomey, said the situation was "abominably complicated" and there were few – if any – precedents. Though it is unclear

The Queen could be called in to settle a bizarre political deadlock in Papua New Guinea which has left the country with two rival Prime Ministers and two governors-general. While either of the two sides could seek the royal assent to their choice as governor-general, the Queen is likely to try to avoid a decision until the turmoil resolves internally. Experts said Buckingham Palace will be very unlikely to put phone calls from the Pacific nation through to the Queen. The Palace was drawn in to the unfolding turmoil after the PNG parliament voted to suspend the Queen's representative, Sir Michael Ogio, following his decision to back Sir Michael Somare to be prime minister. Instead, the Parliament supported the Speaker as acting governor-general and he swiftly swore in a rival contender, Peter O'Neill, as prime minister. A constitutional expert, Anne Twomey, said the situation was "abominably complicated" and there were few – if any – precedents. Though it is unc

UNSETTLED.... Papua New Guinea created history yet again today, when parliament suspended the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio for refusing to swear in Peter O'Neil has the prime minister. The O'Neil cabinet met after lunch today, and decided the fate of the GG, and then went ahead with the decision after parliament resumed this afternoon. The governor general was summoned this morning by parliament to swear in Mr O'Neil at around 2pm, but he refused saying he only recognises the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as the legitimate prime minister. Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape is now the acting Governor General, and swore in Peter O'Neil as the prime minister. Francis Marus, the deputy speakers is now the acting speaker. All these transpired on the floor of parliament. In doing so, the latest happenings has placed PNG in another constitutional crisis mood. The Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare's 20-men cabinet was sworn in this morning at the Govern

UNSETTLED.... Papua New Guinea created history yet again today, when parliament suspended the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio for refusing to swear in Peter O'Neil has the prime minister. The O'Neil cabinet met after lunch today, and decided the fate of the GG, and then went ahead with the decision after parliament resumed this afternoon. The governor general was summoned this morning by parliament to swear in Mr O'Neil at around 2pm, but he refused saying he only recognises the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as the legitimate prime minister. Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape is now the acting Governor General, and swore in Peter O'Neil as the prime minister. Francis Marus, the deputy speakers is now the acting speaker. All these transpired on the floor of parliament. In doing so, the latest happenings has placed PNG in another constitutional crisis mood. The Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare's 20-men cabinet was sworn in this morning at th

OGIO: Acting on Orders The Governor General has been informed of the ONIELL NAMAH Government decision to summon him to Parliament House, but he says he will not turn up there, as the Government house is the only venue to swear in the Prime Minister and any other dignitaries.   Acting upon the decision of the Supreme Court that Sir Michael Somare be reinstated that that the Mr ONiel’s elections as Prime Minister was unconstitutional on the 2nd of August 2011, Sir Ogio’s swearing in of the full cabinet and instruments of the Somare Government is an implementation of the Court’s decision.   Sources from Government House informed us that the GG says he is acting upon the advice of the current legitimate Somare Government and his NEC, after signing instruments this morning at the Government House. Meanwhile, Sources from the Somare Government Camp is aware of Parliament’s proceedings this morning and have labeled such actions by the ONIEL/NAMAH Government as ILLEGAL

OGIO: Acting on Orders The Governor General has been informed of the ONIELL NAMAH Government decision to summon him to Parliament House, but he says he will not turn up there, as the Government house is the only venue to swear in the Prime Minister and any other dignitaries.   Acting upon the decision of the Supreme Court that Sir Michael Somare be reinstated that that the Mr ONiel’s elections as Prime Minister was unconstitutional on the 2nd of August 2011, Sir Ogio’s swearing in of the full cabinet and instruments of the Somare Government is an implementation of the Court’s decision.   Sources from Government House informed us that the GG says he is acting upon the advice of the current legitimate Somare Government and his NEC, after signing instruments this morning at the Government House. Meanwhile, Sources from the Somare Government Camp is aware of Parliament’s proceedings this morning and have labeled such actions by the ONIEL/NAMAH Government as

The Sir Michael Somare Cabinet has just been sworn in at Government House by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is now being driven off to Morauta Haus, Waiagni, followed by his ministers. A press conference is expected to be held at Morauta Haus. Commentators say according to Section 142 of the constitution the Governor General has to swear in the PM elected by parliament. This has not happened so back in Parliament the Govenment of Peter O'Niell has now moved a motion to remove Michael Ogio as Governor General of PNG From NBC News: The Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio has sworn in 10 members of the Somare camp into office as Ministers, effectively recognizing Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his court-restored Government as the legitimate Government of the day. The swearing in ceremony took place just moments ago at the Government House in Port Moresby. The swearing in of the 10 Ministers adds to a total twenty-one minority cabinet, which S