3 Nov 2015

Vanuatu women back reconciliation but not yet

7:06 pm on 3 November 2015

Vanuatu's National Council of Women says the political stalemate in the country makes a mockery of the Christian principles and its Melanesian values and tradition.

14 MPs are in jail while the prime minister Sato Kilman continues to run a minority government with 13 MPs.

The opposition wants the prime minister to stand down but Mr Kilman has called for the president, Baldwin Lonsdale, to dissolve parliament.

Appeals by the jailed MPs are due to be heard next Monday.

The Council's chief executive, Leias Cullwick, agrees a reconciliation will be needed to end the rift but this cannot happen now as is being advocated by a number of chiefs who have arrived in Port Vila.

"We will have to wait for the justice system to complete its duty. After that we will make sure and ensure that a peaceful reconciliation is done by the chiefs of this nation."

Crowds gather to witness the convicted MP's inside the escorted Police Vehicle in front of the Correctional facility that they will serve their jail term

Crowds gather to witness the convicted MP's inside the escorted Police Vehicle in front of the Correctional facility that they will serve their jail term Photo: SUPPLIED / Transparency International Vanuatu