PNG Prime Minister James Marape Rejects Resignation Calls Amid Rising Law and Order Crisis
Prime Minister James Marape has dismissed calls for his resignation over the worsening law and order crisis in Papua New Guinea. Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane has demanded that Marape, along with Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and Police Commissioner David Manning, step down, accusing them of failing to address rampant violence and chaos across the nation.
Nomane criticized the government’s handling of security issues, stating that citizens are increasingly unsafe under Marape’s leadership. He pointed to the deteriorating situation in the Highlands region as evidence of the administration’s failures, citing unchecked criminal activity involving armed gangs wielding guns and machetes. According to Nomane, this lawlessness demonstrates that the government has lost both legitimacy and moral authority.
“The mismanagement under Prime Minister Marape’s watch has left Papua New Guinea vulnerable,” Nomane said. “Since taking office in 2019, his government has been marked by incompetence, poor decision-making, and scandals such as Con-Act PNG, the Gold Bullion controversy, and the public servants’ insurance scheme.”
Nomane further argued that Marape’s leadership has pushed the country closer to becoming a failed state. He emphasized that ensuring citizens’ safety is a fundamental responsibility of any legitimate government—a duty he claims Marape has repeatedly neglected. The deputy opposition leader also linked recent violent crimes, including brutal murders at the start of 2025, to what he described as "failed political leadership," which has weakened trust between the government and its people.
“Prime Minister Marape, Police Minister Tsiamalili, and Commissioner Manning lack the moral authority to visit affected communities like Goroka, Tari, or Porgera and console grieving families,” Nomane asserted. “They remain disconnected from the suffering while others risk their lives on the front lines.”
Calling for immediate action, Nomane urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to demand the resignation of Marape and Tsiamalili to safeguard the nation’s security, welfare, and future. He accused the Prime Minister of prioritizing power retention over addressing pressing national needs, labeling his leadership as inadequate and unfit for the role.
However, Prime Minister Marape strongly rejected these accusations, dismissing them as politically motivated attempts to exploit social tensions for personal gain. “Some in the opposition believe they can ascend to government by capitalizing on social issues and ground-level tensions,” Marape stated. “This pattern is neither surprising nor new.”
Marape defended his tenure, asserting that resigning would not resolve the challenges facing Papua New Guinea. Instead, he reiterated his commitment to leading the nation through its current difficulties. “The job of a Prime Minister is not to resign during every crisis—it is to lead, coordinate, and allocate resources effectively to tackle national problems. That is precisely what we are doing,” he said.
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