PNG-Vanuatu breaks ground on new chancery in Port Vila
PAPUA New Guinea and Vanuatu broke ground for a new PNG diplomatic mission in Port Vila, deepening ties between the two Melanesian neighbours 46 years after a PNG military intervention helped secure Vanuatu’s
PACNEWS ONE, 06 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. B/VILLE — President Toroama rejects PNG stand on Bougainville vote, says Independence mandate cannot be denied2. PNG — Date set for PNG Parliament to debate Bougainville’s referendum
PACNEWS ONE, 28 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. B/VILLE — Bougainville leaders endorse final position and recommend 2030 Independence declaration date2. VAN — Newly appointed Director General welcomed by the MSG Secretariat staff3.SOL
Loyalist surge in New Caledonia, but Congress remains balanced
IN a poll marked by low voter turnout, New Caledonia’s provincial elections have seen a significant increase of vote
Bougainville presses for self-government by 2027, independence by 2030
BOUGAINVILLE President Ishmael Toroama has set out a firm timetable for the territory’s next political steps.
Building the middle ground in New Caledonia’s south
WITH days to go before New Caledonia’s provincial elections, it’s hard to judge the support for the 11 competing electoral lists in
Timor-Leste declares week of mourning for ex-President Guterres
TIMOR-LESTE has declared a week of mourning for former President Francisco Guterres, the former guerrilla leader who died in a
PACNEWS ONE, 24 JUNE 2026
In this bulletin: 1. B/VILLE — President Toroama announces final position on Bougainville independence2. PACIFIC — Australia withholds Pacific climate fund reports over risk of diplomatic
PNG parliament breached deal, says Toroama
THE decision by the Papua New Guinea parliament to adopt a draft sessional order on the results of the Bougainville Referendum has
PACNEWS ONE, 11 JUNE 2026
In this bulletin: 1. FIJI — Fiji UN envoy calls for Truth Commission link to Constitution review2. PNG — 89 ‘yes’ votes needed in parliament, Final step in Bougainville’s political future3. SOL —
Chan to be honoured on K100 banknote
FORMER PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan will be featured on the K100 banknote for the country’s 50th Independence
Death threats for Kanaky politicians
Kanaky (New Caledonian) politicians who signed a deal with France on July 12 will receive police protection due to threats, mainly
Loyalists blame French Minister for failure of New Caledonia talks
Conservative anti-independence parties in New Caledonia have denounced the French Overseas Minister after the breakdown of talks to forge a new political
Bougainville stands firm on independence
Vice President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Patrick Nisira says that the Moderation process must remain consultative and focused solely on the referendum result for
Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland France jail
Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in mainland France jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal ruled in Nouméa on Friday. This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October from the Court
Kanak activist Christian Tein’s imprisonment overturned by France’s highest court
The highest court in France has overturned a decision to lock up the Kanak pro-independence activist Christian
‘Not in my lifetime’: Niue PM on independence
The question remains as to whether Niue will eventually become fully independent. “I don’t think in my lifetime,” said Tagelagi. “But I’m optimistic like everyone else that it will lead to
Paris shifts gears on New Caledonia, after months of conflict
After nearly five months of conflict in New Caledonia, the French government has formally announced it will abandon a constitutional amendment on voting rights for New
French Polynesia hits Paris approach to New Caledonia
French Polynesia says France failed to heed warnings of unrest in New Caledonia and Paris needs to soften its diplomacy in the crisis-hit Pacific territory. The future of New Caledonia is a hot topic at the Pacific
Papua independence protestors seek papal intervention after clashes with Indonesian forces
Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a UN agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region. At least one
French President Macron yet to sign off on Pacific leaders request to visit New Caledonia
The French Ambassador to the Pacific says President Emmanuel Macron is yet to sign a letter from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) requesting authorisation for a high-level Pacific mission to New Caledonia. Véronique
FLNKS congress postponed, as independence movement debates the way forward
In a fast moving and complex situation, both supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia are preparing for the outcome of French elections later this month. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan
Fiji, PNG call for UN decolonisation mission to riot-struck New Caledonia
Fiji and Papua New Guinea have urged the UN’s decolonisation committee to expedite a visit to the French-controlled Pacific territory of New Caledonia following its pro-independence riots last month. Nine people have
