23 Jun 2015

Vanuatu attendance at MSG delayed

1:05 pm on 23 June 2015

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Sato Kilman's trip to Solomon Islands for the Melanesian Spearhead Group's summit is being delayed by a legal action over a dispute surrounding a motion of no confidence.

That case has been delayed until Wednesday afternoon.

The Vanuatu opposition had challenged the decision by the newly appointed Speaker of Parliament Marcellino Pipite to dismiss the application against the Sato Kilman led government.

Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman

Vanuatu PM, Sato Kilman. Photo: UN.org

Meanwhile the trial of 19 MPs who allegedly received money from the then opposition leader, Moana Carcasses, in exchange for their support to effect a change of government is also underway.

Mr Carcasses has previously admitted giving the money to the MPs but insists they were personal loans, not bribes.

The MSG leaders are set to meet from tomorrow in Honiara and Vanuatu's presence is seen as critical to the chances of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua's bid to join the regional agency.