Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has dismissed claims by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill that the forthcoming visit of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is a sign of Papua New Guinea’s democratic failure.
“The people of Papua New Guinea should not be misled,” Prime Minister Marape said. “The UN Secretary-General is coming to our shores to acknowledge our country’s 50 years of nationhood, our peace-building achievements, and our leadership on global issues like climate change, oceans, and sustainable development. This is an unprecedented four-day visit — the longest any UN Secretary-General has made to our region — and it is recognition, not reprimand.”
The Prime Minister said it was ironic that Peter O’Neill, whose government left behind a trail of corruption cases, economic mismanagement, and questionable deals, now attempts to lecture the nation on democracy.
“It was under Mr O’Neill’s watch that trust in government collapsed, the economy nosedived, and institutions were compromised. The people remember who bulldozed Parliament, who silenced dissent, and who created the very conditions that weakened our systems.”
Prime Minister Marape stressed that under his leadership, difficult but necessary reforms are underway to strengthen democracy and restore credibility to elections.
“Yes, our democracy has challenges, as do all democracies. But unlike in Mr O’Neill’s time, my government is working transparently with the Electoral Commission, international partners, and civil society to reform our electoral processes. Preparations for Local Level Government elections are progressing and will be delivered — not swept aside or ignored as in the past.”
He also reminded citizens that global democracy indexes are not final judgments but analytical tools, and that real democracy is measured by the resilience of institutions and the freedom of people to speak, assemble, and choose their leaders.
“Papua New Guinea remains a democracy — vibrant, noisy, sometimes messy, but alive. Our courts are independent, our press is free, and our people have never lost their right to choose their leaders.”
The Prime Minister concluded:
“Peter O’Neill should not use the UN Secretary-General’s visit to score cheap political points. This visit is a milestone in our history — the first time ever a UN chief spends four days in Papua New Guinea. It is an acknowledgement of our journey since 1975, not a condemnation. Instead of running down our country on the eve of our Golden Jubilee, Mr O’Neill should join the rest of us in welcoming this honour with pride.
“This is not about O’Neill or Marape. This is about Papua New Guinea. And Papua New Guinea will stand tall.”