As Vanuatu prepares to celebrate its 46th Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape is among the Pacific leaders gathering in Port Vila to join in the celebrations.
Marape travelled to Vanuatu on a state visit as a vital reciprocal engagement to the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s visit to Port Moresby last September for PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary.
PNG and Vanuatu have shared a unique Melanesian relation since Vanuatu became independent on 30 July 1980.
Papua New Guinea played an important role to help Vanuatu gain independence by sending a team of 450 PNG Defence Force soldiers, the “Kumul Force”, to Port Vila.
The PNGDF operation led to the capture of Ni-Vanuatu political leader Jimmy Stevens and helped Vanuatu gain a peaceful transition in 1980.
Prime Minister Marape stated that the foundational link between the two countries was forged during the critical geopolitical events of 1980.
“Under the leadership of PNG’s then-Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, Papua New Guinea deployed the “Kumul Force” from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to support the incoming government of Father Walter Lini. This successfully quelled the secessionist rebellion on Espiritu Santo and secured Vanuatu’s sovereign borders,” said Marape.
Reflecting on the geopolitical magnitude of that deployment, Marape highlighted the capability demonstrated by Papua New Guinea at the time.
“In 1980, Papua New Guinea was a very young nation, less than ten years old into our own independence,” said Marape.
Marape added that under the decisive leadership of Sir Julius Chan, PNG took a monumental step by deploying the military overseas for the first time.
“It was a bold, unprecedented decision for a young democracy, but it resulted in a highly successful outcome that preserved the sovereignty of Vanuatu,” said Marape.
The exchange highlights the enduring diplomatic ties, deep mutual respect, and strategic alignment maintained between the two Melanesian countries.
The bilateral partnership between the two countries has since expanded systematically from historic security cooperation into robust institutional, legal, and economic frameworks.
This deep relationship has produced concrete, long-standing outcomes, including:
- The Kumul/Vanua Policing MoU: A formal security agreement facilitating active intelligence sharing and capacity-building between the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF).
- The Wantok Legal Network Program: A structured judicial exchange program optimizing personnel development and legal aid infrastructure within the respective Public Solicitors’ offices.
- Reciprocal Land Grants: The mutual allocation of prime State land in Port Moresby and Port Vila dedicated to the construction of permanent, national diplomatic missions.
- The Five-Year Bilateral Framework Master Plan: A strategic blueprint directing joint initiatives in agricultural development, double-taxation relief, climate-resilient disaster responses, and sustainable maritime resources.
Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso will be the Acting Prime Minister to oversee state affairs and government operations while Marape is in Vanuatu.
Marape’s travel to Vanuatu is by invitation of Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat.
