Vanuatu

MSG congratulates Vanuatu peaceful election

“We recognize the strong desire by all Ni-Vanuatu to be governed by a democratically elected government.

The MSG teams observed polling and counting on Efate Island and Santo.

“The reports were that the process was embraced with an atmosphere of calm and people were able to exercise their right to vote freely. We found that Polling Officials were competent, professional and committed in performing their duties, sometimes under challenging circumstances. We did not observe any significant irregularities in the counting process.     

Former Vanuatu PM laments broken-down World Bank deal on airports

Air New Zealand has announced it will stop flying to Vanuatu because of concerns over the safety of the runway, prompting Qantas to follow suit, amid expectations of a Virgin Australia announcement.

Joe Natuman, who was ousted as prime minister by Sato Kilman last year, says Mr Kilman scrapped his deal with the World Bank in favour of a Shanghai-based consortium that hasn't eventuated.

Vanuatu election irregularities had no effect on result - observer

Observers and officials say the snap poll went peacefully and smoothly, and commended the electoral office for arranging it in a month on its limited resources.

But there have been isolated reports of polling irregularities, including an inflated electoral roll, some people being turned away from polling booths, and supplies not reaching one isolated station until late in the afternoon.

Vanuatu election winners confident of forming government

Kenneth Natapei, the son of the recently-deceased former Prime Minister Edward Natapei, was elected to one of the town's six seats in snap elections on Friday.

Vanuatu loses UN voting rights due to arrears

A letter has been issued by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon to Vanuatu and 14 other countries that have not honored their commitment to pay up their annual contribution to the UN regular budget, which means they can’t vote in the 193-member world body unless there are exceptional circumstances.

World-Class LTE Internet has now arrived in Vanuatu

LTE is the most advanced technology in terms of speed, ahead of 3G and even 4G. Now with LTE, those in coverage areas can access the Internet up to ten times faster than before – an immense benefit for both businesses and consumers.  

Air Niugini to review Vanuatu flight services

This is due to deteriorating conditions of that country’s runway.

General Manager, Market Dominic Kaumi told LOOP PNG the airline management will meet today to make a decision on the Airline’s weekly service to Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Last week, Qantas suspended their codeshare with Air Vanuatu effectively immediately due to concerns about the country’s international runway at the Bauerfield International Airport..

Air New Zealand has also suspended all flights to Vanuatu.

Vanuatu airport problems could hit economy

Air New Zealand yesterday suspended all flights to and from Vanuatu because of the condition of the runway at the airport in the capital, Port Vila.

Vanuatu Hotel & Resorts Association president Bryan Death said other carriers who fly to Port Vila could follow Air New Zealand's lead and that would be disastrous for the tourism industry, which has been recovering from Cyclone Pam last year.

Successful Vanuatu election candidates celebrate

At one impromptu parade, dozens of people squeezed onto the back of flatbed trucks, some hanging off the edges, and filled beyond capacity the loud, run-down vans that serve as buses here.

They cheered and leaned out their windows waving flags as the convoy moved along slowly, drawing residents from their houses to watch the spectacle roll by.

Vanuatu elections judged 'peaceful'

Teams from the group, invited to monitor elections by the Vanuatu government, were deployed to Tanna, Port Vila, Efate and Santo earlier in January to assist with Friday's elections.