James Marape

Fiji to re-open High Commission office in PNG

Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed this following a bilateral meetings with PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Suva yesterday.

Rabuka said part of the reason why they had to close the high commission was economic considerations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also said now that they are recovering from that, Fiji is looking at immediately appointing a non-resident High Commissioner to begin negotiations which can only be done after they have a new budget cycle in the middle of the year.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape on official visit to Fiji

Marape arrived in the country last night for his first official visit.

He paid a courtesy call on the President Ratu WIliame Katonivere this morning.

Marape will have a bilateral meeting with  Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as well as meet the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna today.

Marape will also attend the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Special Leaders retreat in Nadi on Friday.

     

James Marape returns as Papua New Guinea prime minister

Marape returns to the top job after turbulent general elections marred by claims of election fraud, widespread violence, deaths, and major damage to infrastructure across the country.

Marape, whose Pangu Party has won at least 36 of 118 seats, is set to lead a coalition government made up of at least 17 different parties.

So far 105 seats have been confirmed and votes continued to be counted for 13 seats.

PNG police charge man for social media post threatening PM

Police said 27-year-old Dominic Aku Jason from Eastern Highlands province was arrested yesterday and was in custody in Port Moresby

Police began investigating the man after he appeared to make a threat on social media, prompting a complaint by the prime minister himself.

The post reportedly stated 'PMJM You Need to Step Down Asap Before a Bullet Penetrate Your Head'.

Police Commissioner David Manning said the charge was very serious and must not be treated lightly given that it was a threat to kill a Prime Minister of a sovereign country.

PNG, SI look at increasing partnership

Prime Minister James Marape on October 14th met with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, in Port Moresby.

Economic trade and investment was among areas of mutual interest both leaders discussed during their meet in Port Moresby yesterday.

Border Security, the Bougainville Referendum, labour mobility and employment opportunities and issues surrounding the Melanesian Spearhead Group were among those high on the agenda.

​No-confidence motion adjourned

However, before the matter could go into whether the opposition had standing in the case, preliminary issues were brought before the court by lawyers representing Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Leader of Government Business James Marape and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on private business, William Powi.

The three leaders, through their lawyers, moved an application seeking to be added as additional parties in the case, saying they are directly affected in the motion filed by the opposition.