Military mutiny in PNG

There has been a military mutiny in Papua New Guinea, with a group of rebel soldiers taking the commander of the country's defence force captive in Port Moresby.

A senior source in the PNG defence force said a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks this morning.

They took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed the head of the defence force, Commander Francis Agwi, under house arrest.

The source said the former defence attaché to Indonesia, retired Colonel Yaura Sasa, has now declared himself commander.

At this stage it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O’Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership, or if it is the work of disgruntled soldiers.

When the conflict erupted last month, Commander Agwi recognised O’Neill as the country’s legitimate prime minister.

Businesses across the city are closing and workers are being sent home amid a tense atmosphere.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s office said the government has not cleared any change to the defence force hierarchy.

Sir Michael was ousted as Prime Minister and replaced by Mr O’Neill in August last year after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.

In December, the Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement as prime minister and as an MP.

But despite that order, O'Neill remained the effective prime minister with the support of the public service, police, defence force and most MPs.

Last week there were rowdy scenes in the parliament when Sir Michael walked in brandishing the court order and demanding his reinstatement.

He was warned by O’Neill that he could be arrested if he showed up again.

Some sources are saying that the rebel soldiers are likely to be supporters of Sir Michael Somare, and there are indications that the soldiers maybe heading to the PNG parliament.


Story by: Vijay Narayan