JSB endorses Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework

#Bougainville #News  

JSB endorses Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework, Agrees to table Referendum Results in Parliament on August 27

The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) today endorsed the jointly developed Melanesian Framework and the Joint Consultation Report (JCR). 

The meeting, held today at the Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby, was co-chaired by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, and Autonomous Bougainville Government President His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, MHR. 

The Melanesian Framework and the Joint Consultation Report were jointly developed by the ABG and the National Government in accordance with the resolutions of the Melanesian Agreement signed by both governments on 26 June 2025. 

Together, the two documents provide an agreed pathway for progressing Bougainville's political future through a peaceful, stable and Melanesian-led process that is consistent with the Constitution of Papua New Guinea while continuing an enduring relationship between Papua New Guinea and an independent Bougainville. 

Addressing the Joint Supervisory Body, President Toroama described the Joint Consultation Report as the culmination of years of engagement between the two governments.

"The Joint Consultation Report is a record of facts and an account of everything we have consulted over since the 2019 Referendum, culminating in the defining Melanesian Agreement. They capture jointly-agreed resolutions of both our governments." 

In its resolutions, the JSB endorsed the Melanesian Framework as the agreed pathway jointly designed by the two governments to give effect to an affirmative decision by the National Parliament should it endorse the Bougainville Referendum Results. 

The meeting resolved that the Bougainville Referendum Results, together with the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework, will be tabled in the National Parliament on 27 August 2026 for Parliament's consideration. The Prime Minister and the President will jointly determine the date on which Parliament will consider the question arising from the Referendum Results. 

The JSB also directed the Independent Facilitator and the Joint Technical Team, supported by the Joint Ministers, to conduct awareness for Members of the National Parliament on both the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework before the matter is debated. 

President Toroama said the two documents now provide the agreed roadmap for the next phase of the peace process.

"Combined with the Melanesian Framework, this is the institutional pathway to Bougainville's self-government and ultimately, to full sovereignty. This pathway reflects Bougainville's Final Position on our timeline for self-government and for political independence," he said.  

The Joint Consultation Report, Melanesian Framework and the Referendum Results will be tabled in the National Parliament on August 27, 2026 by the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs. 

https://abg.gov.pg/index.php?/news/read/jsb-endorses-joint-consultation-report-and-melanesian-framework-agrees-to-table-referendum-results-in-parliament-on-august-27

PNG Prime Minister Hon James Marape and ANG President Ishmael Toroama Signed Joint Committee Report

#pngsun #news #abg #referendum #parliament #consultations Papua New Guinea has moved a step closer to Parliament deciding the political future of Bougainville after Prime Minister James Marape and Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama concluded the final constitutional consultations on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum yesterday.

The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting at Melanesian Haus this morning endorsed the Joint Consultation Report (JCR) and the Melanesian Framework, clearing the way for the referendum results to be formally tabled in the National Parliament on August 27, 2026, where Members of Parliament will debate and make a decision in accordance with the Constitution.

The milestone follows years of political debate and public commentary over the constitutional pathway after Bougainvilleans voted overwhelmingly for independence in the 2019 referendum. 

While about 97.7 per cent of voters supported independence, the Constitution requires consultations between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government before the National Parliament makes the final decision. 

Prime Minister Marape and President Toroama signed the JSB resolutions, witnessed by Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba and ABG Vice President and Attorney-General Ezekiel Masatt.

Prime Minister Marape said the successful conclusion of the consultation process marked an important milestone in Papua New Guinea’s nation-building journey and fulfilled the constitutional requirements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

“This is a process that began with the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001. It became part of our Constitution. The Constitution required that a referendum be held, consultations take place, and that the National Parliament make the final decision,” he said.

PM Marape said the Government had faithfully discharged all of its constitutional responsibilities under the Peace Agreement and the Constitution, with the JSB recognising that the consultation requirements under Section 342 had now been completed.

He said Parliament must now be allowed to exercise its constitutional responsibility independently.

“The National Government and the National Parliament are two separate institutions. Government has completed its constitutional responsibilities. Parliament must now undertake its constitutional responsibility.

“Every Member of Parliament will have the opportunity to speak. Every Member will then stand and cast his or her vote according to conscience, guided by the Constitution and the interests of our country.”

The Prime Minister urged Papua New Guineans and Bougainvilleans to respect the parliamentary process and continue engaging peacefully.

“This is a difficult relationship, but it is a family relationship. Dialogue must continue.”

Mr Marape said Parliament’s decision would not mark the end of the relationship between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, with both governments committed to continuing discussions on the way forward after Parliament has spoken.

He welcomed the endorsement of the Melanesian Framework, describing it as a jointly developed pathway to guide future engagement, maintain peace and reconciliation, and ensure the orderly implementation of whatever decision Parliament reaches.

The Prime Minister also commended President Toroama, Vice President Masatt, the Joint Technical Team, ministers and officials from both governments, as well as previous leaders and international partners, for their commitment to maintaining peace throughout the consultation process.

Apart from the referendum process, the JSB also agreed to strengthen Bougainville’s fiscal autonomy by progressing the transfer of 100 per cent of revenue generated within Bougainville from fisheries, mining, forestry, land and other relevant taxes by December 31, 2026, while accelerating the transfer of outstanding constitutional powers to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

PM Marape said the measures demonstrated the National Government’s commitment to fully implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

He also noted that Parliament would consider the referendum results on August 27, immediately after Papua New Guinea’s National Day of Prayer and Repentance on August 26, and called on churches and citizens to pray for wisdom, unity and peace.

PM Marape said Papua New Guinea had demonstrated that even the most difficult national questions could be resolved peacefully through constitutional democracy.

“For twenty-five years we have honoured the Bougainville Peace Agreement through dialogue, patience and constitutional process. Whatever the outcome, let history record that Papua New Guinea and Bougainville chose peace over conflict, dialogue over violence, and constitutional democracy over division.”

MSG Presses UN Human Rights Council to Advance Long-Standing Call for West Papua Visit

Geneva| 25 July 2026: The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has formally presented Pacific and MSG leaders' call for a United Nations human rights mission to West Papua and Indonesia's Papuan provinces during the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva.

The presentation sought to advance a long-standing request by Pacific leaders for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the region. The call was first endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2019, reaffirmed by MSG leaders at their 2023 summit in Port Vila, and repeated by both the Pacific Islands Forum and MSG during leaders' meetings in 2025.

EMRIP is an advisory body of the UN Human Rights Council that provides expert guidance on the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Acting Director General Ilan Kiloe said the Geneva engagement marked an important step in implementing decisions made by Pacific and Melanesian leaders.

"It is a small but significant step towards the implementation of the leaders' decision to advance the voices of Melanesian peoples on the international stage and demonstrates the organisation's strong commitment to promoting justice, human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples," Kiloe said.

He added that the Secretariat would continue building on its advocacy for Indigenous rights following its engagement in the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion process on states' obligations relating to climate change.

During the Geneva mission, the MSG delegation also held meetings with senior UN officials and experts, including representatives of EMRIP, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), UN treaty bodies, the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples and the UN Youth Office.

The visit concluded with a briefing for MSG ambassadors and permanent representatives to the United Nations in Geneva, hosted by Vanuatu's Ambassador, Sylvain Kalsakau, at the Pacific Islands Forum Permanent Mission.

Indonesia maintains that Papua is an integral part of the country and has consistently stated that it is committed to development and protecting the rights of all its citizens. Calls by Pacific leaders for a UN human rights visit remain under discussion within UN human rights mechanisms.

: Acting Director General Ilan Kiloe, MSG Secretariat team, and MSG Ambassadors during the Geneva briefing hosted at the PIF Permanent Mission. MSG Secretariat

#MSGSecretariat #Melanesia #HumanRights #IndigenousRights #EMRIP19 #Geneva #PacificIslands

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SMT – Newly appointed Director General Welcomed by the MSG Secretariat Staff

MEDIA RELEASE 📣

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is pleased to formally welcome its newly appointed Director General, Dr. Anna Naupa, as she assumes her official duties today, 27 July 2026, at the MSG Secretariat headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

It marks an important moment for the Secretariat and for the wider Melanesian family, as the organisation continues to advance the shared priorities of its Member Countries and uphold the founding values of Melanesian solidarity, cooperation, respect, and collective progress.

This historic appointment also marks Dr. Naupa as the first female and first ni-Vanuatu Director General of the MSG Secretariat, an achievement that carries profound significance and offers renewed hope and inspiration to women and girls across Melanesia.

Mr. Ilan Kiloe, who served as Acting Director General during the transition period, extended his warm congratulations to Dr. Naupa and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s full support for her leadership.

“The Secretariat looks forward to working under Dr. Naupa’s leadership as we continue to advance the shared priorities of our Member Countries and strengthen Melanesian solidarity,” said Mr. Kiloe.

As the Secretariat enters this new chapter, it reaffirms its commitment to teamwork, transparency, and transformative action across the foundational pillars of political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

In assuming office during Vanuatu’s independence anniversary period, Dr. Naupa acknowledged the enduring wisdom, strength, and courage of the region’s founding leaders, whose vision continues to guide the collective aspirations of Melanesia.

Dr. Naupa also reflected on her personal connection to Vanuatu’s national journey, recalling the public service of her late father, who served as Minister of Health and Minister of Public Works, and the contribution of her mother as an educator/Teacher at Malapoa College, where many of Vanuatu’s contemporary leaders were shaped.

Outlining her immediate strategic priorities, Dr. Naupa emphasized her commitment to strengthening the Secretariat’s Corporate Services, Political, and Trade programmes to better serve the MSG membership and support the implementation of Leaders’ decisions.

The MSG Secretariat extends its highest regards to Dr. Naupa and wishes her every success as she undertakes this esteemed role at the helm of the organisation.

#MSGSecretariat #MelanesianSpearheadGroup #Melanesia #PortVila #Vanuatu #Leadership #PacificLeadership #WomenInLeadership

@followers

Rabuka stands by MSG appointment

Local News, News, Uncategorized | Published: 7 hours ago | Last Updated: 7 hours ago | By NACANIELI TUILEVUKA

Anna Naupa, left has been appointed as the new Melanesian Spearhead Group director-general. She becomes the first female to be appointed to the role since the sub-regional group was established in 1986.Photo credit:Facebook / Ministry of the Prime Minister – Vanuatu

THE appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as the new Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) director-general was made through an independent selection process.

These were the words of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka who said she was the best applicant.

Mr Rabuka made the comments in response to criticism from Vanuatu chiefs who said the regional position should have been held by a man rather than a woman.

He told this newspaper the recruitment process was merit-based.

“She came out as the preferred candidate. In fact, she came out top of the list,” he said.

Asked whether the comments from Vanuatu could create instability within the MSG, Mr Rabuka declined to comment on the country’s position.

“I will not speak on what Vanuatu has said and their views on that particular issue. But in general, we pick the best candidate, and we’re still going with our gender-positive policies.

“We have to be considerate. I know culturally the Melanesians are new to the culture of gender equality, but it’s something that we have to grasp and go with.”

Dr Naupa became the first woman to be appointed director-general of the MSG Secretariat following a regional recruitment process involving all MSG member countries.

Chiefs demand PM Napat resign over Nakamal name

Paramount chiefs representing five of Vanuatu’s six provinces have called on Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat to resign before July 30, 2026, over the use of cultural names in foreign agreements.

The chiefs have also called on the Governments of Vanuatu and Australia to remove the name Nakamal from the agreement and replace it with another name.

The call follows criticism from traditional leaders over the Government’s use of cultural names and identities in bilateral agreements with Australia and the People’s Republic of China.

Speaking on behalf of kastom chiefs from SHEFA, MALAMPA, PENAMA, SANMA and TORBA provinces, Paramount Chief Bong Meleun Tempes of Ambrym and Chairman of the Lolehor Council of Chiefs accused the Government of using sacred cultural symbols without proper consultation.

The Nakamal Agreement refers to the bilateral agreement signed between PM Napat and Australian PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra on June 29, 2026.

The Namele Agreement refers to a development cooperation agreement being negotiated with the People’s Republic of China.

Chief Tempes, serving as spokesperson for the kastom leaders, questioned the use of these names in foreign agreements, saying neither the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs nor the respective Island Councils of Chiefs were consulted.

“The Government has no right to decide how our custom identities are used. Our custom identity is not a commodity.

It is the soul of our people, the heritage of our ancestors and the promise we hold for future generations. To sell it cheaply in agreements with foreign powers is to betray the very essence of Vanuatu,” Chief Tempes said.

The chiefs said customary culture and Christian principles form part of the foundations of Vanuatu’s identity under the National Constitution.

They argue that cultural identities should be protected and not used as political tools.

Chief Tempes criticised PM Napat, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tanna Constituency, saying politicians do not own kastom.

“This is not a minor oversight. It is a direct affront to the guardians of our culture. Yet the Government now treats these sacred identities as bargaining chips in foreign diplomacy. Any Prime Minister or government of the day must respect chiefs and the Constitution. Stop trading culture for diplomacy,” Chief Tempes said.

In Vanuatu, the Nakamal is a traditional meeting place where community leaders consult, mediate and make decisions based on mutual respect and understanding.

The Namele leaf is a traditional symbol associated with peace, taboo and customary law.

While the Napat-led Government has used the names to represent respectful partnerships with foreign countries, traditional leaders argue that their use was not authorised and undermines the role of customary leadership.

Asked about the next step if Mr. Napat does not resign, Chief Tempes said, “it will be known later”.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China said the name Namele was proposed by the Government of Vanuatu, not China.

Daily Post understands that China is opting to use only “Vanuatu-China Cooperation” rather than Namele for the proposed agreement.

The agreement between Vanuatu and China has yet to be signed.

It is understood that China had been prepared to sign the agreement before the Nakamal Agreement with Australia, but the signing was delayed by Vanuatu.

The PMO has been informed of the chiefs’ demand and has indicated it will not comment on the matter.

MSG LEADERS' RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat formally presented the Pacific and MSG Leaders' resolution for the Human Rights Commission to visit West Papua and the Papuan Provinces in Indonesia during the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, Switzerland.

EMRIP is a key advisory body of the UN Human Rights Council. Its role is to provide critical advice to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  

The activity was actioned in line with the Leaders' Mandate. During the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit held in Port Vila in June 2023, MSG Leaders supported the call made by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders in 2019 for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua and the Papuan Provinces. The call was reiterated by Pacific Leaders in 2025 during the PIF Leaders' meeting in Honiara and the MSG Summit in Suva, Fiji.  

The Acting Director General (ADG), Mr. Ilan Kiloe, said the MSG Secretariat’s engagement with the UN Human Rights Mechanisms is an important step in advancing the PIF and MSG Leaders' decision.  

“It is a small but significant step towards the implementation of the leaders’ decision to advance the voices of Melanesian peoples on the international stage and demonstrates the organization's strong commitment to promoting justice, human rights, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” Mr. Kiloe said. 

"The MSG Secretariat has championed advocacy on indigenous rights during the recently concluded ICJ Advisory Opinion on the obligations of states in respect to Climate Change, and we must continue to demonstrate that commitment," he added.  

In addition to attending the EMRIP session, the MSG Secretariat held a number of targeted bilateral meetings, particularly with the Chairperson of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), Ms. Valmaine Toki; the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Albert K. Barume; the Chief of the Indigenous Peoples & Minorities Section of the United Nations, Mr. Hernan Vales; and special representatives of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), UN Treaty Bodies, the UN Voluntary Fund, and the UN Youth Office.  

The mission concluded with a formal briefing session with the MSG Ambassadors & Permanent Representatives to the United Nations (PRUNs) based in Geneva, Switzerland. The briefing was organized by the Vanuatu Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, H.E. Sylvain Kalsakau, and hosted by Ambassador Mere Falemaka in the PIF Permanent Mission conference room.  

The MSG Secretariat team was led by ADG Kiloe and supported by Political Affairs Officer Richard Balkonan and Acting Programme Manager/Legal Officer Brittien Yosef.

📍 Photo: Acting Director General Ilan Kiloe, MSG Secretariat team, and MSG Ambassadors during the Geneva briefing hosted at the PIF Permanent Mission.

#MSGSecretariat #Melanesia #HumanRights #IndigenousRights #EMRIP19 #Geneva #PacificIslands 

@followers

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COMMENT BY JOE NATUMAN

Congratulations and thank you Acting Director General of MSG and your delegation for bringing our leaders' resolutions concerning abuses of human rights of  our melanesian sisters and brothers of West Papua to the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council with the hope that a mission would be dispatched to West Papua soon to investigate the numerous human rights violations perpetrated by the occupying Indonesian military

Biografi Dr, Francisco Guterres “Lú-Olo”

1. Data Pribadi

    Nama lengkap: Francisco Guterres  

    Nama gerilya: Lú-Olo, yang berarti “Merpati” dalam bahasa Tetum  

    Tempat, tanggal lahir: Ossu, Viqueque, Timor Portugis, 7 September 1954  

    Agama: Katolik  

    Meninggal: 21 Juni 2026, di Prince Court Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia saat menjalani perawatan intensif. 

     Riwayat Pendidikan:

    Pendidikan Dasar

   Menyelesaikan pendidikan dasar di Colégio de Santa Teresinha Ossu, Viqueque, pada tahun 1963 sampai 1969.

    Pendidikan Menengah

   Melanjutkan pendidikan ke Dili pada tahun 1969 sampai 1973.

     Mengajar  

   Pada tahun 1973 kembali ke Ossu dan mengajar di Colégio de Santa Teresinha_ hingga tahun 1974.

2. Masa Kecil dan Awal Keterlibatan Politik

Francisco Guterres lahir dari keluarga sederhana dan mengalami keterbatasan ekonomi sejak kecil. Pendidikan formalnya terbatas, namun kepeduliannya terhadap kondisi rakyat Timor telah tumbuh sejak usia muda.

Awal keterlibatan dalam perlawanan, 1975: Pada 7 Desember 1975, ketika Indonesia melakukan intervensi militer ke Timor Timur, Francisco Guterres yang berusia 21 tahun bergabung dengan Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente atau Fretilin. Ia kemudian masuk ke hutan bersama para pejuang dan menjadi anggota Forças Armadas da Libertação Nacional de Timor-Leste atau Falintil, sayap militer Fretilin.

3. Perjuangan di Hutan 1975–1999

Selama 24 tahun, 1975–1999, Francisco Guterres tidak pernah meninggalkan hutan. Nama gerilya “Lú-Olo” diberikan oleh kawan seperjuangan sebagai simbol harapan akan perdamaian.

Tahapan perjuangan:

1. 1975–1978, di bawah komando Nicolau Lobato*: Beliau bertugas sebagai prajurit lapangan dan mengikuti manuver gerilya di wilayah pegunungan. Periode ini berakhir setelah Nicolau Lobato gugur pada 31 Desember 1978 di Manufahi. Setelah itu, struktur Falintil terdesak dan terfragmentasi.

2. 1981–1999, masa perlawanan sunyi: Jumlah pasukan Falintil berkurang drastis dan logistik sangat terbatas. Francisco Guterres dipercaya memimpin regu kecil, lalu naik menjadi komandan lapangan. Tugas utamanya adalah menghubungkan pos-pos Falintil yang terisolasi dari Lospalos di wilayah timur hingga Bobonaro di wilayah barat. Senjata yang digunakan terbatas, umumnya senapan FAL peninggalan Portugis dan senjata rampasan. Strategi yang diterapkan adalah menghindari kontak langsung, melakukan serangan mendadak, kemudian menghilang ke hutan dan gua.

3. Kesaksian sejarah: Dalam berbagai wawancara, termasuk dokumenter _East Timor: Birth of a Nation – Lu Olo’s Story_ tahun 2000, beliau menyatakan bahwa periode 1975–1978 merupakan masa paling berat karena menyaksikan pemboman, pembakaran desa, dan gugurnya banyak kawan seperjuangan.

Ciri kepemimpinan: Beliau dikenal sebagai sosok yang tenang, tidak banyak bicara, dan mengutamakan keselamatan anak buah. Kepercayaan diperoleh melalui keteladanan, yaitu ikut menanggung kesulitan, berjalan di barisan depan, dan tidak memerintah sesuatu yang tidak dilakukan sendiri.

4. Karier Politik Pasca-Referendum 1999

Setelah Timor Leste merdeka melalui referendum 1999, Francisco Guterres keluar dari hutan. Beliau kemudian aktif di dunia politik.

Jabatan penting:

1. Presiden Partai Fretilin  

2. Ketua Parlemen Nasional Timor Leste periode 2002–2007 dan 2016–2017  

3. Presiden Republik Demokratik Timor Leste ke-4, menjabat 20 Mei 2017 sampai 20 Mei 2022  

Pada masa transisi, beliau pernah menyampaikan bahwa memimpin gerilya di hutan dan memimpin negara melalui politik merupakan dua bentuk perjuangan dengan medan yang berbeda.

5. Penghargaan sebagai Veteran

Pada upacara 20 Agustus 2022, Francisco Guterres menerima penghargaan veteran tingkat tertinggi bersama Xanana Gusmão dan Taur Matan Ruak. Penghargaan tersebut diberikan kepada 236 veteran yang mengabdi 15–24 tahun di Falintil, sebagai pengakuan atas perannya mempertahankan perlawanan hingga kemerdekaan tercapai.

Penutup

Perjalanan hidup Francisco Guterres “Lú-Olo” merupakan perjalanan dari seorang anak Ossu menjadi komandan Falintil selama dua dekade, kemudian menjadi Presiden Timor Leste. Debut beliau dalam perjuangan bukan ditandai oleh satu pertempuran tertentu, melainkan oleh keteguhan bertahan dalam kondisi paling sulit selama 24 tahun. Pengalaman tersebut menjadikan beliau salah satu tokoh kunci dalam sejarah perjuangan dan pembangunan Timor Leste.

SELAMAT JALAN PAHLAWAN BESAR TIMOR LESTE 💐💐

#PerkabunganNasionalTimorLeste

#TimorLesteBerduka

#Disclaimer

Biografi ini disusun berdasarkan data dan sumber publik yang tersedia per Juni 2026, termasuk arsip media dan catatan resmi pemerintah Timor Leste. Penulis telah berupaya memastikan keakuratan informasi. Namun, perbedaan versi sejarah memungkinkan adanya kekeliruan atau perbedaan interpretasi. Pembaca disarankan melakukan verifikasi lebih lanjut untuk keperluan akademik atau hukum.

OUTSTANDING PAPUA NEW GUINEAN ACADEMIC: Dr. Samuel Joseph Kopamu

A Man of Humility and Wisdom

Dr. Samuel Joseph Kopamu comes from Mukurisa Village, Wabag, in Enga Province. He is one of PNG’s brightest academic minds. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. He then earned a Master of Science from Monash University, Melbourne, in 1991, and a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, in 1996.

For over 23 years he has served PNG’s higher education sector as a lecturer and senior lecturer at the country’s three largest universities: UPNG, PNG University of Technology, and University of Goroka.

In 2012 he relocated to Goroka with his family. A year later he was appointed Head of the Mathematics Division at UOG, serving until 2015 when he became Acting Pro Vice Chancellor. Even while in senior administration, he continues to teach pure mathematics and supervise postgraduate research students.

Dr. Kopamu has represented PNG on the world stage. He attended the International Congress of Mathematicians in South Korea in 2014, one of the largest gatherings of mathematicians globally. As President of the PNG Mathematical Society, he led the push for PNGMS to gain full membership in the International Mathematical Union - a major milestone for PNG science. He also helped organize an international mathematics conference at UOG in 2014.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Kopamu is deeply committed to building a better Papua New Guinea. He believes true development comes through education and empowering Papua New Guineans with knowledge and wisdom.

Source: Educational News

PM RABUKA CONGRATULATES DR. ANNA NAUPA ON HER APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE MSG

Prime Minister and Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, has extended his warm congratulations to Dr. Anna Naupa of Vanuatu on her appointment as the new Director General of the MSG Secretariat.

Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the appointment as a significant milestone for both Vanuatu and the wider Melanesian family, noting that Dr. Naupa brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership credentials, and a deep understanding of the region’s development priorities.

“As Chair of the MSG, I congratulate Dr. Anna Naupa on her appointment and wish her every success as she assumes this important leadership role,” Hon. Rabuka said.

“Her appointment reflects the confidence of MSG members in her ability to guide the Secretariat and advance our shared vision for a stronger and more prosperous Melanesia.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the historic nature of the appointment, marking the first time a ni-Vanuatu has been selected to lead the MSG Secretariat since the organisation’s establishment in 1986.

“Dr. Naupa’s appointment is also an important achievement for women across Melanesia and the Pacific. Her success demonstrates the growing contribution of women in leadership and serves as an inspiration to future generations throughout our region.”

Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed the MSG’s enduring commitment to the principles upon which it was founded — solidarity, cooperation, respect, and support for the aspirations of Melanesian peoples.

“Under Dr. Naupa’s leadership, we look forward to building on these achievements while remaining true to the values and vision that have guided the MSG for four decades.”

Dr. Naupa thanked the MSG and secretariat for her appointment, saying she is ready to serve and fulfill her duties for the benefit of Melanesia.

MOU TO STRENGTHEN CULTURE, ARTS & REGIONAL COOPERATION

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (26 May 2026): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently formalized between the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat and the Papua New Guinea National Cultural Commission aims to strengthen culture, arts and regional cooperation.

While signing the MOU, PNG Minister for Arts, Culture & Tourism, Honourable Belden Namah, highlighted the importance of regional cultural cooperation.

He said that while the MOU formalizes cooperation in culture, arts and regional partnership amongst Melanesian countries, it demonstrated a shared commitment to collaboration in promoting and preserving the Melanesian culture, heritage and the Melanesian way.

The collaboration he said, will help build stronger cultural connections and cooperation moving forward.

Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe expressed his appreciation to Hon. Namah and the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for their commitment to advancing Melanesian culture.

He said the MSG was excited and proud to sign the MOU as it reflected a shared commitment to promote, protect and advance the living cultures of our people across Melanesia.

ADG Kiloe welcomed the partnership stating it will strengthen ties between Members through culture and shared values, underscoring the significance of the Melanesian way of life.

#msgnews

Photos: SUPPLIED

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UN climate vote exposes split over law, fossil fuels and China’s emissions rise

New York| 23 May 2026: The United Nations General Assembly has backed a Vanuatu-led climate resolution linked to last year’s International Court of Justice ruling, but the vote also exposed a hard dispute over legal liability, national sovereignty, fossil fuel use and the emissions record of China and India.

The resolution passed with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions. Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Yemen voted against it. 

The resolution supports the ICJ’s July 2025 advisory opinion, which said states have obligations under international law to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions. It also said states breaching those duties may face legal responsibility, including reparations in some circumstances. 

The Trump administration opposed the resolution on clear policy grounds. Washington said the text placed inappropriate political demands on fossil fuels and opened the door to legal arguments against states over climate damage. US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce also rejected a request asking the UN Secretary-General to report back on legal issues arising from the ICJ opinion. 

Trump’s climate policy since returning to office has centred on energy sovereignty, cheaper power, domestic oil and gas, coal, minerals, jobs and industrial security. His January 2025 order withdrawing the US from Paris-related climate commitments said international environmental agreements must not unfairly burden the American economy. 

A second Trump order made expanded domestic energy production official US policy, linking fossil fuels and natural resources to prosperity, manufacturing strength, national security and lower household costs. 

The American argument also rests on a blunt emissions point: China and India remain central to global emissions growth. EDGAR’s 2025 report said China, the United States, India, the EU27, Russia and Indonesia produced 61.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. It also found China, India, Russia and Indonesia increased emissions in 2024, with India recording the largest absolute increase among top emitters. 

IEA data gives the same picture. India’s energy-related CO₂ emissions rose 5.3% in 2024, the highest rate among major economies, driven by growth, infrastructure, heatwaves and rising electricity demand. China’s emissions rose 0.4%, while US energy-related CO₂ emissions fell 0.5% in 2024. 

That is the fairness argument behind Washington’s position: the US faces legal pressure, climate lawsuits and fossil fuel restrictions while China and India continue expanding energy use to power industry, cities and exports. In Trump’s view, climate law should not punish American workers, manufacturers and energy producers while fast-rising economies keep lifting emissions.

Pacific island states see the same issue from the opposite end. Vanuatu and other vulnerable countries argue rising seas, saltwater intrusion, coastal loss and stronger storms are already damaging communities with tiny emissions footprints.

The resolution is not binding, but it gives climate-vulnerable countries another legal reference point. Future lawsuits, treaty debates and compensation claims will likely cite both the ICJ opinion and this General Assembly vote.

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