The new Vanuatu Prime Minister, Sato Kilman believes that ousted Prime Minister, Edward Natapei's actions were undemocratic when he refused to hand the Chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group to Fiji's Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
Vanuatu journalist Alain Simeon has told Radio Australia that this is also one of the main reasons for the vote of no-confidence against Natapei.
He said many Vanuatu MP's were unhappy how Natapei was handling the Fiji and MSG issue.
Natapei was ousted from office after a successful no confidence motion last night.
He has been replaced by his former Deputy Sato Kilman, with the vote following nearly a year of conflict in Vanuatu's political scene.
Natapei was out of the country when he was voted out of office, on his way to represent Vanuatu at the UN Climate Change Conference underway in Mexico.
It was confirmed that a reconciliation ceremony was planned for later this month in the Solomon Islands where Vanuatu was expected to hand over the MSG Chairmanship to the Solomon’s and Solomon Islands was expected to hand over the Chairmanship to Fiji.
Commodore Bainimarama had confirmed to Fijivillage that Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was supposed to attend the meeting.
It is not known whether this will now go ahead.
Commodore Bainimarama had already said to Fijivillage that the process in the Solomon’s was a face saving exercise for Natapei, as he should have handed over the MSG Chairmanship to Fiji.
The Prime Minister also alleged that Natapei was influenced by Australia to hold on to the MSG Chairmanship.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
New Vanuatu PM believes Natapei was undemocratic
