VANUATU DENIES IT IS ABOUT TO SIGN A SECURITY DEAL WITH CHINA AS AUSTRALIA WORKS TO INK ITS OWN PACT

“In short:

Vanuatu's prime minister has dismissed reports his country is on the verge of signing a security agreement with China.

Jotham Napat said reports suggesting as such were "untrue" before adding that his country's relationships "were not exclusive".

Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy would not confirm if the federal government had concerns over Vanuatu's potential deal with China.

Vanuatu has furiously denied that it is on the cusp of signing a security pact with China and warned that it will not be "dictated to" by Australia in a row which threatens to disrupt delicately poised negotiations for the landmark Nakamal Agreement.

Multiple sources have confirmed that China and Vanuatu have spent months discussing a comprehensive new pact called the Namele Agreement.

In Vanuatu, the Namele leaf is a sacred symbol of peace and authority used to enforce kastom or customary laws.

On Tuesday morning the Vanuatu newspaper the Daily Post reported that Australian officials in Port Vila were concerned the deal could have security elements, quoting a source who said it might "affect agreements with Australia" and undermine Vanuatu's push to make Canberra ease visa restrictions.

But later that day Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat issued a forceful statement calling the report "grossly misguided and inaccurate" and insisting the proposed agreement was a "comprehensive development cooperation agreement" not a security pact.

He also took a thinly veiled swipe at Australia saying that "Vanuatu will decide what is good for Vanuatu. We will not be dictated to."

"Our foreign policy is guided by our national interests, not by external speculation or pressure,"

Mr Napat said.

"Suggestions that our partnerships could affect visa arrangements or other bilateral matters are unhelpful and not a cultural reflection of Nakamal values.

"Vanuatu's relationships are not exclusive."

Airing of concerns 'serious' amid negotiations

The dispute risks poisoning the atmosphere between Australia and Vanuatu just as the two countries prepare to finalise protracted and sometimes difficult negotiations over the Nakamal Agreement — a landmark security and development pact between the two countries.

Last week Vanuatu's Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the government was on the "cusp" of finally signing the deal, almost eight months after it was given initial approval on the summit of Mt Yasur.

One diplomat in Vanuatu from a third country said the fact Australian officials still pressed ahead with raising public concerns about the pact with China, albeit by an anonymous leak to a newspaper, showed they must have "serious" concerns that it would have security implications.

The ABC has been told that Australia is not opposed to Vanuatu building up its economic links with China, but wants to ensure that the Namele pact is not a security agreement which might undermine Nakamal, or threaten Australia's interests.

The Pacific Minister Pat Conroy would not confirm if Australia had concerns, or say whether officials in Vanuatu had tried to use the Namele agreement as leverage to secure a better deal in negotiations on the Nakamal Agreement.

But he said Australia was in a "daily contest" with unnamed other countries throughout the Pacific.

"We've been very honest with the Australian public that we're in a permanent state of contest for influence in the Pacific," Mr Conroy said.

"That's why we've put so much resources and so much ministerial energy into this area."

Chinese influence in region monitored closely

Australia has also been closely monitoring meetings between the Chinese government and Vanuatu government ministers, including Interior Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat, who went to a major summit on digital technology in Hong Kong last week.

Mr Napat said the conference was focused on "addressing challenges in cyber security, digital transformation, and emerging technologies" and a senior government source in Vanuatu denied outright that any agreements had been signed with China during his trip.

The Chinese embassy in Vanuatu also said the claim of a security agreement was "untrue" and that "China–Vanuatu cooperation focuses on infrastructure development and capacity building".

Mr Napat also insisted the discussions around finalising the Nakamal Agreement with Australia were "not at all linked to China".

"Officials are continuing close engagement to ensure any agreement with any partner reflects Vanuatu's interests as high priority in ensuring its longevity," he said.

The agreement hit the rocks just before it was due to be signed in Port Vila by prime ministers Anthony Albanese and Jotham Napat in September, with Vanuatu deciding it could not endorse language aimed at limiting China's security presence in the Pacific.

That included a section emphasising that Pacific nations should have clear responsibility for security matters in this region, and another section which was designed to limit foreign investment in critical infrastructure in Vanuatu.

Even before this dispute there has been evidence of tensions between the two sides.

Multiple sources in Vanuatu have said Australian diplomats had deliberately kept an unusually low profile in recent weeks, a move one official said was "strange" and noticeable".

Mr Conroy would not be drawn on when the Nakamal Agreement was set to be signed.

"We've had very productive conversations but you'll hear about an announcement when we make it," he said.

Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien said Australia was "deeply invested in its relationship with Vanuatu" and the government needed to make it built a "strong, respectful and enduring partnership".

"The Albanese government has questions to answer here," Mr O'Brien said.

"What is the status of the Nakamal Agreement? And what steps are being taken to encourage its finalisation?

"This is looking like yet another diplomatic blunder on the part of the Albanese government and given the strategic importance of this relationship I expect Labor will exhaust every effort to improve the situation."

SOURCE & IMAGE: ABC News 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21/04/2026

#livinginvanuatu #livinginvanuatunews

King Badu Bonsu II Executed by Dutch Colonialists

In 1838, after decapitating two Dutch emissaries and decorating his throne with their heads; King Badu Bonsu II, the ruler of the Ashante tribe in present day Ghana, was himself beheaded by Dutch soldiers. For more than 150 years, King Bonsu’s head was lost until an author found it stored in a jar of formaldehyde in a Dutch museum. Ghana immediately asked for the King’s severed head back and; in July 2009, members of the Ahanta flew to The Hague and staged a mourning ceremony that included pouring gin libations on the floor of the Foreign Ministry before taking the head back to Ghana.

King Badu Bonsu II

Before he was executed by the Dutch in 1838, King Badu Bonsu II, was the overlord of the Ahanta tribe in the Western Region. Badu Bonsu II, is believed to have been decapitated in retaliation for the killing of two Dutch emissaries in 1838. According to the Dutch government, Badu Bonsu II was handed over by his own ”nation” to Dutch colonists; who were then in control of a part of the former Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) that included Ahanta tribal lands. Arthur Japin, a Dutch author who discovered the king’s head when he was working on a historical novel; noted that Badu Bonsu II’s head was taken by Maj. Gen. Jan Verveer in 1838 in retaliation for the king’s killing of two Dutch emissaries; whose heads were displayed as trophies on his throne.

Preserved in a jar of formaldehyde, the head of King Badu Bonsu II was discovered gathering dust; in a laboratory in the Leiden University Medical Centre by Arthur Japin, a best-selling Dutch author.

How it was found

It had been there since its arrival in the late 1830s from what was then called the Dutch Gold Coast and is today Ghana. Japin, the Dutch novelist, explained how he had helped reunite Badu Bonsu II head with his body. ”I was researching my novel about an Ahanta boy brought to Holland in 1838, and in the process I learned about the head of the king, who had been a friend of the boy. I had been looking for the head for more than 10 years,” Japin was quoted to have said. ”Finally, in 2002 I found it locked away in a dark cupboard where it had been for more than 170 years.” After hearing of the head’s location in 2008, Ghana filed a request for its return, saying, ”without burial of the head, the deceased will be haunted in the afterlife.”

Reclaiming the Head

In March 2009, Ghana government officials announced that it would be returned to its homeland for proper burial. The Dutch and Ghanaian governments and a member of Badu Bonsu’s Ahanta tribe signed a pact in The Hague for the handover of the head; which remained out of sight in a room elsewhere in the foreign ministry building for the ceremony. Ahanta tribe leaders held an emotional ritual, pouring alcohol on the floor of the conference room; while invoking the chief’s spirit in the presence of Ghanaian nationals dressed in the country’s red and black mourning colours. Ghana claimed the head of Badu Bonsu II, which had been preserved in formaldehyde; in a bottle among the anatomy collection of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) on July 23, 2009.

https://iloveafrica.com/how-king-badu-bonsu-ii-of-ghana-was-beheaded-and-his-head-taken-to-the-netherlands-by-the-dutch/

#MossiWarriorClan

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Why Highlands Play Politics Better Than Coastal Leaders

I’m a coastal man, and this picture says everything about politics in Papua New Guinea. Politics is not about friendship or hate. It’s a game. A serious one. And the truth is, some people understand that game better than others.

Highlands leaders know how to play politics better than most coastal leaders. That’s why they stay in power. While coastal leaders are still thinking with emotions, others are making smart moves behind the scenes. In politics, thinking emotionally is the fastest way to lose.

Many people believe that James Marape and Peter O'Neill are enemies. That’s what the public sees. But politics is deeper than that. Leaders can fight today and work together tomorrow. There are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends. Nothing is personal. It’s just politics.

Coastal leaders often get played because they trust too easily or take things personally. Meanwhile, others are calculating every move. They build alliances, break them, and rebuild again when it suits them. That’s how the game is won.

As Rainbo Paita said, Parliament is more complicated than physics. And he’s right. Politics is not simple. It’s a game for strong minds, not soft hearts.

So here’s the hard truth, if you don’t understand the game, don’t enter politics. Because while you’re trying to be honest and emotional, someone else is already ten steps ahead, playing to win.

By The Hardest Pills to Swallow

This is not meant to attack any individual or group, but to share a perspective on how politics works.

The most intelligent highlands politicians are from Simbu when it comes to the real art of the game, like Sir iambake Okuk, Komdom Agaundo, Kerenga Kua James Nomane etc. The upper highlanders are dominant in the power play only with the use of money and nepotism, they are only good in using money and maintaining their wantoks system to find their way out,  but they don't have the brain to play the game on a neutral ground. Simbus don't play money or use their wantoks systems in politics. If a Simbu politician plays money and use wantoks system or if the game is played by all on a neutral ground, Simbu's will be victorious. I'm a coastal man and this is my simple view.

Angola and Botswana Unite To Buy Diamond Mining Company De Beers

Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, has announced plans to increase production to 17 million carats by 2027, following a record output in 2024.

This achievement has cemented Angola’s position as the world’s third-largest producer of rough diamonds by volume, behind only Russia and Botswana. 

In addition to boosting production, the Angolan government is reportedly considering acquiring a 20% to 30% strategic share in De Beers, one of the world’s leading diamond companies. 

Botswana is also positioning itself around De Beers. The government of Botswana is buying out 15% of De Beers. 

De Beers was founded by a British man named Cecil Rhodes over 135 years ago, and started its diamond mining operations in South Africa. 

They have mined hundreds of millions of carats of diamonds across Africa, primarily in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, generating tens of billions in revenue.

With Botswana and Angola both coming together to buy over 30% stake of De Beers, the days of imperial exploitation are numbered.

#TheAfricanDream

TWO LAWS FOR PNG? WHY MARAPE’S ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ CLAIM ABOUT CJ SALIKA SMELLS LIKE POLITICAL SMOKE, NOT JUSTICE

Commentary by: Alois Yoba Bai.

Fellow Papua New Guineans,

I am writing this with a heavy heart and a confused mind. Our Prime Minister, James Marape, has reportedly described recent referrals concerning our Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, as "unprecedented." This label makes us stop and ask: Unprecedented because it threatens the powerful? Or unprecedented because it actually follows the rule of law?

We have to connect the dots here, and when we do, the picture is disturbing. It forces us to ask a question that should never need asking in a democracy: Do we have two sets of laws in this country—one for ordinary citizens and another, unbreakable one for our politicians and top bureaucrats?

The "Unprecedented" Claim vs. The Constitution

Firstly, we need to understand what the Constitution actually says. It is the Supreme Law. Period. Section 11 clearly states that the Constitution is the Supreme Law, and any law inconsistent with it is, to the extent of the inconsistency, invalid .

The Constitution also establishes an independent National Judicial System, with the Chief Justice at its helm, to guard this law . The Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, has the final say on interpreting our laws . So, if there are referrals or questions raised about the conduct of any public officer—including the Chief Justice—the proper legal channels exist. So why is the process "unprecedented"? It is only unprecedented if we are used to seeing the powerful simply walk away.

If the Prime Minister believes the process is wrong, the proper place to argue that is in the very courts he is criticizing. This talk of "unprecedented" actions feels like an attempt to undermine the very institutions meant to keep us all equal.

The Paraka Shadow: A Tale of "Selective" Memory

The Prime Minister’s current stance is incredibly hard to swallow when you look at his history, specifically the infamous Paraka scandal. This is where your question about "two sets of laws" becomes terrifyingly real.

Just recently, Hon. Kerenga Kua gave evidence in court regarding the Paraka case. He testified about the immense pressure applied to facilitate illegal payments of K41 million to Paraka Lawyers—money that did not follow due process . He spoke about the "secrecy surrounding the transactions" .

What was Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika’s reaction to this testimony? According to reports, His Honour questioned Kua on why he and other senior ministers did not have the courage to put in a formal complaint to police . The Chief Justice was essentially asking: Why were the politicians protected while the system was looted?

And what was Prime Minister Marape's response to this resurfacing of the Paraka matter? He didn't address the core issue of the missing K162 million . Instead, he launched a fierce attack on the media for reporting it. On his official government website, he accused the Post-Courier of "fake news" and "slander," threatening them with legal action for merely reporting what was said in his own colleague's court testimony .

He stated, "I have never approved any of the payments made under the Paraka claims process. In fact, I was the last Finance Minister who put a stop to the series of claims and payments" .

This is a very contradictory position, Mr. Prime Minister. On one hand, you attack the media for reporting on a scandal that involves your time as Finance Minister. On the other hand, you describe actions involving the highest judicial officer as "unprecedented."

You cannot have it both ways. You cannot demand the media be silent on your past while questioning the processes that might hold the current judiciary accountable.

Are Our Leaders Immune?

This brings us back to the citizen's fear: Are our top leaders immune to the Constitution?

When a Prime Minister attacks the media for reporting court proceedings , and then casts aspersions on processes involving the Chief Justice, it creates a chilling effect. It suggests that the rules are for the little people—the ones who go to jail for stealing a few hundred Kina.

But for the political elite, even a scandal involving K162 million (the Paraka funds) is just a matter of "media narrative" and "fake news" . We saw the Opposition recently note that the government's reports of success are "misleading" and that wealth distribution remains "highly unequal" . That inequality isn't just economic; it seems to be a legal inequality, too.

We cannot allow our leaders to pick and choose which parts of the Constitution apply to them.

The Bottom Line

Mr. Marape, you still have the outstanding issue of the Paraka saga hanging over your head, a saga that Chief Justice Salika is actively seeking truth and courage on . Your current media statements attacking the process and the messengers are, as you say, "very contradictory."

If the referrals regarding the Chief Justice are "unp

Angola and Botswana Unite To Buy Diamond Mining Company De Beers

Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, has announced plans to increase production to 17 million carats by 2027, following a record output in 2024.

This achievement has cemented Angola’s position as the world’s third-largest producer of rough diamonds by volume, behind only Russia and Botswana. 

In addition to boosting production, the Angolan government is reportedly considering acquiring a 20% to 30% strategic share in De Beers, one of the world’s leading diamond companies. 

Botswana is also positioning itself around De Beers. The government of Botswana is buying out 15% of De Beers. 

De Beers was founded by a British man named Cecil Rhodes over 135 years ago, and started its diamond mining operations in South Africa. 

They have mined hundreds of millions of carats of diamonds across Africa, primarily in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, generating tens of billions in revenue.

With Botswana and Angola both coming together to buy over 30% stake of De Beers, the days of imperial exploitation are numbered.

#TheAfricanDream

Wale raises serious concerns over mounting crisis at Solomon Airlines

LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale is deeply concerned about the growing financial and operational challenges facing our national carrier, Solomon Airlines. 

The airlines interim CEO made a public statement that Solomon Airlines is facing a serious sustainability crisis.

Reports of unsustainable route losses, a weakening revenue base, and declining competitiveness raise fundamental questions about the Government’s national aviation policy and its long-term strategy for the airline.

The Opposition Leader said as a state-owned enterprise, Solomon Airlines is not merely a commercial entity; it is a strategic national asset providing essential services. 

“It connects our provinces, supports tourism, facilitates trade, and links Solomon Islands to the global economy. Any instability within the airline has direct economic consequences for businesses, families, and provincial communities,” Hon Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said the continuation of commercially unviable routes without transparent subsidy frameworks suggests poor strategic planning, and possibly government indifference. 

“If certain routes are deemed socially necessary, Government must clearly state the cost of these obligations and how they are to be funded,” he said.

Hon Wale adds with limited market size and fluctuating passenger demand, the airline must operate with discipline and innovation. 

“What revenue diversification strategy is in place? What reforms are being pursued to improve load factors and operational efficiency?” he questioned.

The Opposition Leader said regional competition is intensifying and without fleet modernization, better route optimization, and strategic partnerships, Solomon Airlines risks further erosion of market share. 

“What is Government doing to strengthen competitiveness?” he questioned.

He said there is clear absence of any aviation policy direction. 

He adds the government’s role must go beyond just providing bailout funds to the Airline from one existential crisis to another.

Hon Wale said the public deserves clarity. 

“Does Government have a coherent national aviation policy? Is there a long-term sustainability plan? What is Solomon Airlines part in such a plan? Or are we witnessing reactive, short-term bailouts without structural reform?” the Opposition Leader questioned.

The Opposition Leader also questioned whether measurable performance targets have been set for management calling for an independent review on the matter.

“Are reforms being considered, including public-private partnerships, route rationalisation, or management restructuring? What safeguards exist to prevent further financial deterioration?” he asked.

Hon Wale has further called on the government to table a comprehensive financial and operational report on Solomon Airlines in Parliament.

He also stressed the urgency to commission an independent audit of the airline’s performance and governance framework.

“Present a clear, transparent National Aviation Strategy outlining sustainability measures. Ensure that any public financial support is tied to enforceable reform conditions,” he said.

Hon Wale said Solomon Airlines must not be allowed to drift into crisis through policy neglect or government indifference. 

He said the people of Solomon Islands deserve transparency, accountability, and decisive leadership to resolve the long standing challenges facing Solomon Islands.

“The Opposition stands ready to support responsible reforms that safeguard this vital national institution but we will not remain silent while public resources are placed at risk without clear direction,” Hon Wale said.

Ends

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG

by TODAGIA KELOLA

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG 

============================

“Parliament must make good laws for the good and benefit of all, not just a few. Laws passed should not be for personal interests of a few.

Laws passed must and should be for collective safety of people, easy to understand and enforce and be

applicable to everyone. Some of our laws, dare I say, are not good laws for the country.

“Laws like the District Development Authority Act, there is already the three tiers of government like the National Government, Provincial Government and Local Level Government.

Now we have the District Development Authority, who are the members, the chairman. For whose benefit was

that law enacted?

“Then the Kumuls Holding Act, all SOEs have their Boards but this law creates another Board, for whose benefit was that law enacted?

“The PNG Sustainable Law or Contract, that has now locked up landowners monies in Singapore – whose benefit was that law and contract for?”

As for due processes Sir Gibbs gave an example of a Police complaint that he personally made.

“Start with my own experience. I filed a complaint against a then government minister to the Commissioner

of Police to have the minister charged for certain alleged offences.

My letter was confidential to a head of State agency. That letter got intercepted and posted on social media platforms and ultimately this complaint of mine never got attended to. Some four years later, it remains

unattended. I have since given up in our systems,” he said.

Police Commissioner David Manning was also at the forum and delivered a presentation before the Chief Justice. Sir Gibbs said: “The courts recognise that the weak implementation and reform of laws impacts on the effectiveness of due process, the effective administration of justice and the rule of law in the country.

All of which pose negatively on PNG’s

total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today including West Papuans

A total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA).These people were part of the 59 successful applicants applied for naturalization as PNG citizens.

According to the PNGICSA, 5 people were seeking dual citizenship with Papua New Guinea, 26 had applied to be naturalized citizens of PNG, and 28 were PNG citizens seeking dual citizenship approval.

Of the 22 recipients today, 8 were West Papuans. In fact, from the overall 26 naturalised citizens, 25 people were from West Papua origin.

PNG currently has dual citizenship arrangements with the following countries:

▪︎Australia

▪︎Fiji

▪︎Germany

▪︎New Zealand

▪︎Samoa

▪︎United Kingdom

▪︎United States of America, and

▪︎Vanuatu.

PNGICSA stated that Authority is working on amendments to the Citizenship Act, to include more countries to its prescribed list of countries for dual citizenship.

US pressures Vanuatu at UN over ICJ’s landmark climate change ruling

Cable seen by Al Jazeera says the US ‘strongly objects’ to the island nation seeking support for ICJ’s landmark climate ruling.

The United States is urging governments to pressure Vanuatu to withdraw a United Nations draft resolution supporting a landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that countries have a legal obligation to act on climate change.

A US State Department cable seen by Al Jazeera on Saturday says that the Trump administration “strongly objects” to the proposed resolution being circulated by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in support of last year’s ruling by the ICJ – the UN’s top court.

nounced it was putting forward the draft UN resolution for consideration.

“We are strongly urging Vanuatu to immediately withdraw its draft resolution and cease attempting to wield the Court’s Advisory Opinion as a basis for creating an avenue to pursue any misguided claims of international legal obligations,” a copy of the cable seen by Al Jazeera states.

The ICJ’s 15 judges considered tens of thousands of pages of written submissions and two weeks of oral arguments during the court’s biggest-ever case, before delivering their verdict last year that states have a legal obligation to act on the “existential threat” of climate change.

The ICJ case took place after Vanuatu won the support of 132 countries in the UN General Assembly, which can request opinions from The Hague-based court.

It also came as the Trump administration has sought to undo US action on climate change, both at home and at the UN.

The US cable claims that Vanuatu’s proposed UN resolution in support of the ICJ opinion was based on “speculative climate models to fabricate purported legal obligations that seek to assign blame and encourage baseless claims”.

Louis Charbonneau, Human Rights Watch’s director at the UN, urged support for Vanuatu’s draft resolution on Friday, saying “governments should live up to their obligation” to protect human rights around the world by protecting the environment.

“Responsible governments shouldn’t allow themselves to be bullied by those that reject the global scientific consensus and continue to support reliance on harmful fossil fuels,” he said.

ing “strengthens global climate action and multilateral cooperation”.

An article in Vanuatu’s Daily Post newspaper said that the draft resolution has been endorsed by countries including Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Netherlands, Palau, the Philippines, Singapore and Sierra Leone.

Many of these countries are already experiencing the worsening effects of climate change, including increasingly severe storms.

Trump, who has promised to “drill, baby drill” for oil in his second term, has withdrawn the US from UN climate bodies, including the UN’s top climate change treaty body, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Trump has also threatened to impose sanctions on diplomats who voted for a levy on polluting shipping fuels at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Foreign landowners have no ownership over adjacent marine areas

The newly enacted Oceans Act confirms that Vanuatu’s seas and oceans cannot be privately owned by foreigners or expatriates. While land may be legally purchased, ownership does not extend to surrounding marine areas.

The law, passed by Parliament in November last year and now in force, aims to reinforce customary authority over sea access and marine resources. Authorities have launched nationwide awareness campaigns to educate communities, with the first consultations held with chiefs last month to support customary decision-making.

Acting Director of Oceans Tony Tevi said foreign landowners do not automatically have rights over adjacent sea areas. Any individual seeking to restrict or manage access to the sea must first consult traditional leaders, as decisions regarding marine spaces remain under customary authority.

Mr. Tevi noted that chiefs play a central role in determining whether certain sea areas should remain open, be restricted, or be managed under specific customary rules. Custom institutions recognised under the Oceans Act hold the power to make these decisions.

The law also includes strict penalties for non-compliance. Offences carry fines starting from VT500,000 for initial violations, rising to VT5 million for more serious breaches, and up to VT10 million for major offences.

Consultations with the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs are ongoing to ensure communities are widely informed. Mr. Tevi explained that development of the legislation began nearly a decade ago, prompted by concerns over sea boundaries and the need to strengthen legal protection for Vanuatu’s marine resources.

While the ocean is collectively owned by the people of Vanuatu, chiefs remain central to governance by regulating access and encouraging responsible use. The ongoing awareness campaign aims to ensure communities understand their rights and obligations under the new law as it is implemented nationwide.

ezra@dailypost.vu

LET ME BE CLEAR FELLOW AFRICANS, RUSSIA 🇷🇺 NEVER HAD BLACK SLAVES

UNLIKE EUROPEANS AND ARABS, NOR DID RUSSIA CREATE A MARKET TO TRADE BLACK PEOPLE (1600-1800)

RUSSIA NEVER participated in the BERLIN conference to divide AFRICA like a piece of goat meat (1884). RUSSIA NEVER colonized, underdeveloped and plundered AFRICA'S resources (1914-1960).

RUSSIA has NEVER set up a safety net for AFRICAN leaders to conceal stolen funds, use the stolen funds for development, then return the same funds to AFRICA in the form of loans.

RUSSIA has never invaded and destabilized any AFRICAN country (LIBYA, SOMALIA, CONGO, BURKINA FASO, EGYPT, SOUTH AFRICA, etc).

RUSSIA has NEVER k!lled any AFRICAN freedom fighters but the UK & USA, France & BELGIUM have k!lled hundreds of our rescuers and thousands of our AFRICAN freedom fighters are still languishing in various prisons and dungeons across AMERICA.

Who k!lled MARCUS GARVEY?

Who k!lled THOMAS SANKARA of BURKINA FASO?

Who k!lled PATRICE LUMUMBA of D.R CONGO?

Who k!lled MALCOLM X?

Who k!lled MUAMMAR GADDAFI of LIBYA?

Who k!lled REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.?

Who k!lled TUPAC SHARKUR?

Who k!lled FELA KUTI?

Who k!lled STEVE BIKO of BANTU in SOUTH AFRICA?

Who k!lled SOLOMON MAHLANGU?

Who k!lled over 10millions CONGOLESE?

Who k!lled 5 million BIAFRANS? ... etc. 

Those who have done the above are those pushing the narrative that “RUSSIA” has become the Boogeyman...

Those who colonized and for about 100 years refused to share their technology with AFRICA want AFRICA to love those they love and hate those they hate. Nope! Never again!

LAND IS OUR IDENTITY - PROTECTING OUR FUTURE

NATIONAL BULLETIN

 

BY KEITH IDUHU, MP FEB 11, 2026

I was honoured to address attendees of the Land Commission of Papua New Guinea's Client Outreach Program at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.

As Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land Reform, my message was clear: land in PNG is not just a commodity; it is our culture, our spirituality, and our very identity.

With approximately 97 per cent of our land held under customary tenure, we must address customary land reform. When system fails, we see the consequences everyday: dispute, eroded trust, and violent conflicts.

KEY POINTS FROM MY ADDRESS:

• Land is an Economic Asset: We must unlock the potential of our land to drive real socio-economic progress. 

• Human Rights First: Reforms must advance the rights of our people and provide tangible benefits for all citizens. 

• Permanent Link: Land governance and customary reforms are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. 

• Transparency and Inclusion: Fair systems are the bedrock of human dignity and sustainable development. 

Our goal is simple: to ensure our land remains protected by the law while being unlocked for development that benefits the many, not just the few.

#LandReform #CustomaryLandRights #LeadershipInAction #PNGDevelopment #IdentityAndCulture

MOTUANS – A FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

Hon. Keith Iduhu’s call for a decentralised, district-based service town model in Central Province is not just an administrative proposal—it is a cry for justice for the Motuan people. For decades, the designation of Port Moresby as the National Capital District has created a paradox: while the city has grown into the political and economic hub of Papua New Guinea, the very people whose land it sits upon have been steadily marginalized. The Motuans, once central to the cultural and social fabric of the region, now find themselves sidelined in their own homeland.

The growth of Port Moresby has brought infrastructure, commerce, and national prominence, but it has also eroded the Motuan way of life. Villages have been swallowed by urban expansion, traditional land rights have been diminished, and cultural institutions have weakened under the weight of modernization. Central Province itself has been overshadowed, with resources and opportunities concentrated in the capital while surrounding districts remain underdeveloped. This imbalance is not merely economic—it strikes at the heart of sovereignty. A nation cannot claim to be truly sovereign if it fails to protect the dignity and heritage of its first peoples.

Decentralisation offers a pathway to restore balance and dignity. By establishing service towns across Central Province, development can be distributed more equitably, reducing dependency on Port Moresby and empowering local communities to thrive. Such a model would allow Motuan villages and traditions to be revitalised rather than subsumed under the pressures of urbanisation. It would also strengthen political representation, ensuring that governance is closer to the people and that Motuans, along with other Central Province communities, have a stronger voice in shaping their future.

This is not simply about infrastructure—it is about identity, justice, and sovereignty. Protecting the Motuan people means protecting the soul of Papua New Guinea. Decentralisation is both a practical necessity and a moral obligation. Practically, it will ease the burden on Port Moresby, create new economic hubs, and foster balanced growth across the province. Morally, it will restore dignity to the Motuan people, whose cultural survival is inseparable from the nation’s integrity. Sovereignty is not only about political independence—it is about ensuring that no community is sacrificed for the convenience of others.

The Motuans must no longer be forgotten. Their rights, heritage, and future must be safeguarded through deliberate policy and structural reform. Hon. Iduhu’s call is therefore a timely reminder that true nationhood requires justice for all its peoples irrespective..

#HiriKoiari #CentralProvince #Decentralisation #KeithIduhu #ProvincialDevelopment

Photo Credit: Umi Blo Ples

JOHN LEE MEETS VANUATU PRIME MINISTER ON TRADE AND BELT AND ROAD COOPERATION

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met with Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Monday to discuss bilateral trade relations and cooperation opportunities under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Lee welcomed the Vanuatu delegation to Hong Kong and emphasized the growing bilateral trade relationship between the two sides. He described cooperation prospects as "broad and promising."

Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic position under the One Country, Two Systems framework, which he said provides dual advantages for national and global opportunities. He stressed the city’s role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in facilitating international exchanges, particularly with Belt and Road and Global South nations like Vanuatu.

Lee outlined Hong Kong's plans to strengthen its position as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging connections to both mainland China and international markets.

 He said the city would intensify economic and trade collaborations with Belt and Road economies while promoting green cooperation initiatives.

Citing Hong Kong's status as the world's freest economy, Lee extended an invitation to Vanuatu enterprises to utilize the city's internationalized business environment and professional services sector to access overseas and mainland Chinese markets.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael WongWai-lun also joined the meeting."

SOURCE: The Standard

IMAGE: GIS

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/01/2026

#LivinginVanuatuNews #LivinginVanuatu

The Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Hiri- Koiari MP, Keith Iduhu on Connect PNG program,

 By Lorraine Francis |PNG SUN|

#pngsun #news #national The Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Hiri- Koiari MP, Keith Iduhu, has raised serious concerns over the legality of the Connect PNG program, highlighting that it has been operating for five years without the legally required Development Trust Fund.

Speaking at a Parliamentary inquiry held at the State Function Room this morning, the Deputy Chair pressed Departmental Heads and Senior officials of the Department of Works and Highways to clarify the legislative basis for the program, citing the Road Fund Management Act 2020 and the Connect PNG Implementation and Funding Arrangements Act 2021.

He emphasized that all Connect PNG funds must flow through a single, dedicated trust account, overseen by the PNG Road Fund Board, rather than being administered at the discretion of the Department of Works and Highways.

“Parliament never intended for Connect PNG funds to be routed through multiple or discretionary accounts,” the Deputy Chair noted.

In response, Secretary for Works and Highways, Gibson Holemba, confirmed that the Connect PNG Development Trust Fund has not been established.

“Since 2020, Connect PNG has been funded through budgetary allocations administered directly by the Department of Works, not through a trust account,” he said.

Secretary Holemba provided financial figures showing K7.4 billion in procured works, K5.9 billion in running contract value, and only K1.8–1.9 billion paid, leaving K4–4.8 billion outstanding.

“While spending complied with Appropriation Acts, the policy intent of the trust fund was project security, ensuring money is available to honour contracts,” Mr Holemba explained to the PAC.

The Secretary also suggested a governance restructuring, proposing separate boards for maintenance funds and capital Connect PNG funds.

However, the Committee rejected this proposal.

“No amendment has been passed by Parliament.

The existing law remains binding,” said Mr Iduhu.

The Committee said that the non- establishment of the Development Trust Fund is the single most critical failure of the program.

It has directed the Board and Treasury to establish the trust fund within 30 days and submit a formal compliance report to Parliament in March.

While reaffirming strong support for the Connect PNG program, the Committee stressed that compliance with the law is non- negotiable, particularly given the scale of public funds involved.

Committee Members also expressed concern over delayed payments to contractors, warning that continued non- payment could negatively affect agriculture, tourism, rural services, and the program’s broader development goals.

Kikori MP Eoe said PNG continues to lose value by exporting oil, gas and other resources

Papua New Guinea must urgently move away from exporting raw resources and focus on downstream processing if it is serious about growing its economy and creating jobs, Minister for Provincial Affairs and Local Level Government, Soroi Eoe says.

Speaking yesterday during a press conference held in Port Moresby, in the presence of the Minister for Petroleum Jimmy Maladina, Kikori MP Eoe said PNG continues to lose value by exporting oil, gas and other resources only to import them back as expensive finished products.

“We export oil and gas to countries like Singapore and then buy them back at a high cost as diesel, petroleum and aviation fuel,” he said. “Singapore is an import-substitute economy. They add value. We do not.”

Minister Eoe said this model has left PNG dependent on imports while other countries benefit from PNG’s natural wealth.

“For a long time, governments have allowed this to continue,” he said. “We export our resources and watch other nations build their economies.”

The Minister said downstream processing must be prioritised to unlock economic opportunities, create employment and support industrial growth.

“That is where jobs are created. That is where real economic impact is felt by our people,” he said.

Minister Eoe said the idea was first advanced in 2017, when he was serving as Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion. He later presented the concept internationally during APEC 2018, where it attracted strong interest from global leaders and investors.

He said the proposal was discussed at high levels during APEC, with representatives from major economies, including the United States and China, engaging in follow-up discussions.

The concept later evolved into the Integrated Specialised Services (ISS) initiative, which Minister Eoe described as a long-term national project that has continued to progress.

He confirmed that planning is now progressing for a New Special Economic Zone, supported by power generation and essential infrastructure. 

“Once operational, the zone is expected to attract direct foreign investment and support local processing of raw materials.

“As soon as the infrastructure is in place, investors can build processing facilities,” he said. “That is how we turn raw materials into marketable products.”

Minister Eoe said gas development, particularly for domestic power supply, will play a critical role in supporting industrial growth and national energy security.

He also raised concerns about PNG’s continued reliance on imported food, using rice as an example.

“We import rice when we have the land to grow our own,” he said. “This dependence must change.”

Minister Eoe said the responsibility lies with the current generation of leaders to make bold decisions that will benefit future generations.

“We cannot continue exporting our wealth and standing by,” he said. “If we make the right decisions now, Papua New Guinea can build a stronger and more independent economy.”

##Source@ SUN PNG 

By Theodro Psalmson| PNG SUN|

#pngsun #news