Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare was re-elected on Monday for a second consecutive term, and his fourth term overall.  During the election, he accused Australia of interfering in the election process, likely due to the heated discussions last week over a leaked report which revealed that Somare sanctioned or ordered the flight of Julian Moti, who is wanted on sex offense charges in Australia.

Australia will continue to press the issue.  Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said, “We would hope that with Sir Michael Somare reappointed as Prime Minister, he would now publish the board of inquiry’s report into the Moti affair so that everybody can have a good look at it.”  The current tensions between PNG and Australia have led to a slow-down of other bilateral projects, including development, and Downer emphasized that the annual aid would be focused on the welfare of everyday PNG citizens rather than politicians, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

There were internal tensions surrounding this election in addition to those with Australia.  Three rival members of Parliment filed a Supreme Court application challenging Somare’s election on the grounds that he was not the leader of the National Alliance party at the time of the election.  Under the party’s constitution, Somare was not capable of representing the party as its leader, and this in turn violates the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.  The court will rule on the submission on Friday.  A ruling in favour of the opposition would require parliment to hold another election for prime minister.

Civilians planned a large-scale protest in Port Moresby.  Their primary grievances are what is now being termed the Moti Affair, the legalization of casinos, and the discontinuation of a corruption inquiry into the Finance Department.  Governor Powes Parkop and regional MPs for Port Moresby have backed the protest march.  Parkop is a human rights lawyer, in addition to being governor.  He said, “Civil groups are organizing to protest in Port Moresby and police are being deployed — hopefully not a means to stop them — but it appears to be a means to stopping them.  And my concern is that our people have the right to influence the formation of the government; we should not leave it to those people with money and power and a lot of resources.”

Please see also:
“PNG PM accuses Australia of interference in elections”  Radio New Zealand International (12 August 2007)
“Somare elected PNG PM for second consecutive 5-year term”  Radio New Zealand International (13 August 2007)
“Court challenge may marr Sir Michael’s PM appointment”  Pacific Magazine (13 August 2007)
“Tensions rise over Moti affair”  Sydney Morning Herald (14 August 2007)

* Those curious about civilian statements on Somare’s election may find this article from the Post-Courier to be of interest.