PNG’s Democratic Decline Draws UN Secretary-General’s Visit
Papua New Guinea is set to host the United Nations Secretary-General next week, a visit former PNG PM Peter O’Neill says highlights the world’s alarm at the nation’s democratic backsliding.
O’Neill, the People’s National Congress Party Leader, warned that the trip is “strategically timed” ahead of PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary and reflects growing global concern. He said the 2022 National General Election, where less than half the electorate voted and over 100 petitions were lodged, exposed deep flaws.
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| Former PNG PM Peter O'Neill |
Adding to the crisis, O’Neill pointed out that the 2024 Local Level Government elections have not been delivered, leaving a critical democratic process in limbo. He described these failures as evidence of PNG’s “accelerated slide towards autocracy.”
He further cited international assessments, including the 2024 V-Dem Index, which now labels PNG an “Electoral Autocracy,” and The Economist’s Democracy Index, which gave the nation a score of 5.97 out of 10.
“These are the measures the UN looks at—not the words of corrupt political leaders,” O’Neill said. “The global community has already downgraded PNG’s democratic standing.”
He stressed that the UN Chief’s mission to address Parliament is not ceremonial but a warning. “The visit is because PNG is recognised globally as a failing democracy. We should not pretend otherwise,” O’Neill stated.
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