Page 7 - IB November 2023

Briefs Briefs

international labour mobility. I-Kiribati under the age of 25 the government’s employing authority, the Public Service
comprise more than half the country’s population and more Commission, to recruit new police constables, understanding
than 50% are unemployed due to geographical and economic staff shortages are also affecting other government agencies.
challenges.

Palau
Marshall Islands Palau’s Angaur State Government closed down on October 1
The United States and the Marshall Islands have finally signed after failing to pass a budget for the financial year 2024. This
a new 20-year agreement to renew the economic provisions closure affects all state operations, including the Governor’s
of the Compact of Free Association. Under the new deal, Office and the Legislature, as well as any activities requiring
the Marshall Islands stands to receive nearly US$2.3 billion payment or the issuance of payments. The Island Times
over the next two decades, plus an additional US$700 million reported the shutdown is a result of a disagreement between
that is earmarked for the “extraordinary needs” of the Governor Steven Salii and the Angaur State Legislature.
Marshallese who were affected by the US nuclear testing The Legislature did not accept the budget bill proposed
programme. “The total of this agreement is four times what by Governor Salii and instead passed a Continuing Budget
US departments initially insisted would be the maximum,” Resolution to fund the government for the next three months.
said Phillip Muller, chief negotiator for the Marshall Islands.
The compact package for the Marshall Islands forms part of
the US$7.1 billion pledged by the Biden administration to the Papua New Guinea
freely associated states, including Palau and the Federated More than 10 to 15 kilograms of alluvial gold with a market
States of Micronesia. value of K10 million are alleged to be illegally smuggled
out of Papua New Guinea on commercial flights to Asian
markets every week by a purported gold smuggling syndicate
operating in the country. The Post Courier reported that local
Nauru PNG-owned alluvial gold exporters have raised the alarm after
Member of Parliament for Ubenide, David Adeang, has taken a year of their own investigations. Police and government
his oath as the newly elected President of Nauru, replacing authorities are investigating. The districts targeted by the
Russ Kun who served in the role for 13 months. President syndicate are Wau, Bulolo, Lae, Buka, OK Tedi, Porgera, and
Adeang is the longest serving member of Parliament, first Port Moresby.
entering the house in 2001. His new Cabinet members include
former President Lionel Aingimea as Minister for Justice, Jesse
Jeremiah as Minister for Infrastructure, Charmaine Scotty as
Minister for Health and Tourism, Reagan Aliklik as Minister for Samoa
Transport and Fisheries, Asterio Appi as Minister for Education The Samoa Government has launched its first Parametric
and Climate Change, and Shadlog Bernicke as Minister for Microinsurance Product with the assistance of Samoa Surety
Media and ICT. Isabella Dageago and Maverick Eoe also took Insurance Ltd and the UN Capital Development Fund-led
their oath of office as deputy Ministers to Cabinet. Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP),
with the aim to reduce the impact of extreme weather events
on most vulnerable communities. Minister for Fisheries and
Agriculture, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt said their goal is to sign
New Caledonia up 200 beneficiaries.
New Caledonia’s only daily newspaper Les Nouvelles
Calédoniennes has restarted as an online publication. The
newspaper was launched in 1971 but closed in March this Vanuatu
year.The closure had triggered concern regarding freedom of Just weeks after Charlot Salwai became Prime Minister of
expression and media diversity. The new shareholders behind Vanuatu, there are allegations that a group of Members of
the project are a local company called GD Connexion, a Parliament is preparing for a motion of no confidence against
subsidiary of local conglomerate Groupe Dang. the newly elected PM. The group is believed to include
current members of the Opposition and some Government
MPs. Salwai was installed as Prime Minister on October 6 after
Niue former PM Sato Kilman was voted out through a motion of no
The Niue police department has been facing a staffing confidence. In the span of just one year, Vanuatu has already
shortage, forcing it to operate with less than half of its witnessed two motions of no confidence, resulting in changes
intended workforce, according to its annual report tabled of government. Salwai was previously Prime Minister from
at last month’s sitting of the Fono Ekepule. Niue Chief of February 2016 up until the general election in 2020.
Police, Tim Wilson told BCN News that they are working with

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