Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

14th of September 2011, The Speaker of Parliament has yet again enforced his powers to declare the Prime Minister's seat to be filled by Peter O'Neill as the country's recognized Prime Minister. Sir Michael Somare entered the parliament on a wheelchair and took position in the middle benches. In all there was really not much issue, parliament went on just like normal with bills being read and voted on. Unfortunately though, the seat for East Sepik Provincial belonging to Sir Michael Somare was declared vacant by the speaker for the reason of being absent from parliament for 3 consecutive sittings. This has brought about much criticism from the opposition and a court submission has just been made to challenge this decision.

One Country, Two Prime Ministers

6th of September 2011, today will be marked down in PNG's history as a day when the parliament sits this afternoon with the uncertainty of who will be sitting in the Prime Ministers chair, will it be Sir Michael Somare or Peter O'Neill.

Sir Michael Somare who was/is our Prime Minister before taking leave for medical treatment has now after 4 months away returned. Whilst he was away and after 3 months of no leadership, the people have had enough and decided to appoint someone to take leadership of the country as Prime Minister. In a 70 to 24 vote, Peter O'Neill was declared the new prime minister of the country. As such, today's parliament sitting will be a rather peculiar one to see as how our members of parliament will take their seats.

Check in again later to find out how the event unfolded.