Mutiny in PNG The BackGround Story

Mutiny underway in PNG

The retired colonel who claims to have seized control of Papua New Guinea's military has threatened to use "necessary force" to resolve the country's political stand-off.

Colonel Yaura Sasa has told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took defence force commander Francis Agwi hostage under house arrest.
The former defence attaché to Indonesia said the action did not amount to a military mutiny or takeover, but said he had been appointed commander by former prime minister Sir Michael Somare.
He called on Sir Michael and prime minister Peter O'Neill to return to parliament to resolve what he called the country's constitutional impasse within seven days.
If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary force" to "restore the integrity and respect for the constitution and the judiciary."
The press conference took a bizarre twist when Colonel Sasa had to answer the phone on the desk in front of him.
"I'm sorry, I'm right in the middle of the [inaudible]," he said. "Can you give me a call within the next 10 minutes?"
Earlier, a senior source in the PNG defence force told the ABC that a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks around 3:00am this morning.
They took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed Commander Agwi under house arrest. When the conflict erupted last month, Commander Agwi recognised Mr O'Neill as the country's legitimate prime minister.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is warning Australians in Port Moresby to avoid travelling in the city because of "disturbances" at the barracks.
Businesses across the city were closing this morning and workers were being sent home amid a tense atmosphere.

Brother and MP Sasa Zibe

 A spokesman for Mr O'Neill's office said the government had not cleared any change to the defence force hierarchy.
DFAT said it was concerned by the developments and says Australia's High Commissioner in Port Moresby has spoken to Mr O'Neill about the situation.
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, Mr 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 Mr O'Neill that he could be arrested if he showed up again.
Today a former commander of the PNG defence force, General Jerry Singirok, said the politicians must sort themselves out in order to end the army mutiny.
"I am just calling on the speaker for parliament, Jeffrey Nape, to convene parliament and O'Neill and Belden Namah's group come and resolve this issue on the floor of parliament with Sir Michael Somare and his group," he said.
"I think that's the only way that we can resolve this."

ABC