26 May 2019 | 06:15 AM UTC
Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister O’Neill announces resignation May 26 /update 1
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announces resignation on May 26 following weeks of political unrest; protests possible in coming hours and days
Event
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his resignation on Sunday afternoon (local time), May 26, following weeks of political unrest and protests. O'Neill will hand over power to Julius Chan, a former prime minister, and is expected to formally resign by submitting a letter to the Governor-General in the coming days. Protests and public demonstrations are possible in the coming hours and days, particularly in Port Moresby and near the Parliament House. Associated disruptions and a heightened security presence is likely in the event of protests.
Context
Peter O'Neill, who has served as prime minister since 2011, faces of a vote of no confidence in part due to recent resource extraction agreements. Either side requires 56 votes of the 111-member parliament. Opposition parties claim to have 57 votes while O'Neill has insisted that 60 members of parliament back his leadership.
Advice
Individuals in Papua New Guinea, particularly Port Moresby, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public gatherings, anticipate transportation and business disruptions and a heightened security presence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
