| Home > South Pacific & Oceania >> Papua New Guinea | |
Coup attempt inflames PNG political crisis
Sydney Morning Herald - January 27, 2012
Shots were fired, the Defence Force chief was held hostage, domestic flights were cancelled and roadblocks were set up to contain what threatened to be a serious situation.
But by nightfall, coup leader Yaure Sasa and soldiers from the 1st Battalion had released their hostage, Brigadier-General Francis Agwi, from the main military barracks in the capital, and Mr O'Neill insisted he remained in charge of the country.
The drama began when the soldiers, reportedly numbering between 20 and 80, stormed Murray Barracks at 3am and placed Brigadier-General Agwi and two other officers under house arrest after they were deemed to be O'Neill supporters. Brigadier-General Agwi had rejected Sir Michael's request to call out the army to support him during two weeks of political turmoil late last year.
At a press conference at the barracks, Colonel Sasa demanded that Sir Michael be re-instated as prime minister within seven days, "or I will be forced to take actions".
"My task is restoring the integrity and respect of the constitution and the judiciary," he said. "I am calling on the head of state to immediately implement the Supreme Court decisions relating to Sir Michael's position as prime minister."
Sir Michael claims that a Supreme Court order on December 12 reinstated him as the country's leader, while Mr O'Neill maintains that Sir Michael was disqualified as an MP after a prolonged absence from Parliament because of sickness.
Last night, Mr O'Neill declared he was still in charge of PNG but said an early election was possible. He told journalists that he remained in control of civil infrastructure, including the police and armed forces. He also appointed his deputy, Belden Namah, as acting defence minister.
Mr O'Neill said Colonel Sasa had been "dealt with" but would not elaborate.
"This government does not answer to one man calling on us to recall Parliament in seven days," he said. "Parliament will recommence on the 14th of February and we will sort it out then. If [Sasa] does not have confidence in my leadership, all he needs to do is [have his supporters] introduce a vote of no confidence in my leadership, and if they succeed I will resign."
Mr O'Neill said he might yet dissolve Parliament after February 14 and call an election. "It is an option we are considering," he said.
Mr O'Neill said he had spoken with Brigadier-General Agwi. "He is in good spirits," he said. When asked if the general was still in charge of most of the military, Mr O'Neill replied "of course" but would provide no details of his whereabouts.
Mr Namah described Colonel Sasa's supporters as "very, very junior ranks". "The actions this morning are highly mutinous, and for Yaure Sasa as a civilian to go and occupy the office of the commander is treason at the highest level," he said.
"I want to say this to Somare: you have lost your mind. You have lost total control of yourself. You have lost your mind. You have lost sanity."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard issued a press release late yesterday calling for the PNG defence chain of command to be restored. "The military has no place in PNG politics," she said. "It is critical, therefore, that this situation be resolved peacefully as soon as possible."
Acting Foreign Minister Martin Ferguson said the government was monitoring events in Port Moresby. (With AAP)
See also:
 |