Pro-Somare police and soldiers takeover Papua New Guinea parliament :: Papua New Guinea Issues in Perspective

Police loyal to Supreme Court-reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare took over Papua New Guinea’s national parliament this morning in a looming showdown with security forces loyal to the O’Neill government.

Police Pro-SOMARE

Another group of security forces in a convoy of vehicles are gathering at a back road not far from the PNG parliament, it is not known if they are aligned with the Somare or O'Neill camp in a face-off which observers say could turn nasty any minute if the two clashing sides are not immediately brought to the negotiating table.

Selected members of the PNG media fraternity were advised that pro-Somare police moved into Parliament early this morning and have blocked it off to the public and parliamentarians who plan to attend a special session, which rival PM Peter O’Neill called to deal with the Supreme Court’s decision early this week to reinstate Sir Michael as head of government.

“There is now a blockade of parliament underway by troops and policemen loyal to the legitimate government of Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. This action is in response to two incidents yesterday: (1) assault, intimidation and contempt displayed by Belden Namah, Peter O’Neill and other MPs with armed policemen towards the judiciary, our legal system and our way of government and dispute resolution; (2) the serious and unprovoked assault on superintendent Joseph Tondop and four of his men resulting in the hospitalisation of one with serious injuries,” read the email.

State broadcaster National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) this morning posted pictures of the parliament blockade which showed policemen turning away vehicles trying to enter parliament.
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