Somare back as PNG PM

Papua New Guinea has been thrown into political turmoil, after the Supreme Court ruled the election of Peter O'Neill unconstitutional, and restored Sir Michael Somare as the Prime Minister, in a narrow 3-2 decision.

The court found there was no vacancy in the office of Prime Minister on August 2nd, following a parliamentary vote of 70 to 24 that saw O’Neill elected, rendering the decision illegal.

The court ruled that Sir Michael Somare is to be restored to the office of Prime Minister forthwith.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, PNG's Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia indicated contempt charges, would be brought against O'Neill and his lawyer, Philip Ame.

Ame filed a last-minute attempt to dismiss Sir Salamo on Friday, citing three affidavits by men who claimed to have seen the Chief Justice, during a late-night rendezvous with Arthur Somare, the son of Sir Michael.

The court heard the application early yesterday and it was rejected.

In a last-minute attempt to secure his position before the decision, Peter O'Neill's government yesterday passed laws to legalise its dumping of Sir Michael and his government, on August the 2nd.

It specified that the Prime Minister can be dismissed, if absent from the nation for more than three months.

Sir Michael, before he was dumped, was absent for five months while he was in Singapore recovering from heart surgery.

The act passed two readings of the PNG Parliament by a vote of 71 to 0, as opposition ministers refused to show up, pending the court decision.

Sir Michael, 76, said on Sunday that he is willing to serve as Prime Minister again, but he is unsure if he would stand for his East Sepik electorate at next year's election.

Story by: Vijay Narayan