The retired colonel who claims to have seized control of Papua New Guinea's military has threatened to use "necessary actions" to resolve the country's political stand off.
Colonel Yaura Sasa has told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took defence force commander Francis Agwi hostage under house arrest.
The former defense attaché to Indonesia said the action did not amount to a military mutiny or takeover, but said he had been appointed commander by former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
He called on Sir Michael and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to return to parliament to resolve what he called the country's constitutional impasse within seven days.
Our sister station in PNG, YUMI FM Editor, Joy Kisselpar said Peter O'Neill is still leading the country and said Francis Agwi who is currently under house arrest is still PNG's Defence Force Commander.
Joy confirmed that it is peaceful in Port Moresby despite the Commander being under house arrest and Sasa claiming to be the new Commander.
Meanwhile the ABC reports that PNG's deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah told reporters that 15 of the 30 or so men supporting Colonel Sasa have been arrested.
Namah, a former soldier, said the Colonel does not have the support of the wider military and that he should give himself up.
He said Colonel Sasa's actions amount to mutiny, which carries the death penalty.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
(Earlier on...)
Military mutiny in PNG
There has been a military mutiny in Papua New Guinea, with a group of rebel soldiers taking the commander of the country's defence force captive in Port Moresby.
A senior source in the PNG defence force said a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks this morning.
They took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed the head of the defence force, Commander Francis Agwi, under house arrest.
The source said the former defence attaché to Indonesia, retired Colonel Yaura Sasa, has now declared himself commander.
At this stage it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O’Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership, or if it is the work of disgruntled soldiers.
When the conflict erupted last month, Commander Agwi recognised O’Neill as the country’s legitimate prime minister.
Businesses across the city are closing and workers are being sent home amid a tense atmosphere.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s office said the government has not cleared any change to the defence force hierarchy.
Sir Michael was ousted as Prime Minister and replaced by Mr O’Neill in August last year after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
In December, the Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement as prime minister and as an MP.
But despite that order, O'Neill remained the effective prime minister with the support of the public service, police, defence force and most MPs.
Last week there were rowdy scenes in the parliament when Sir Michael walked in brandishing the court order and demanding his reinstatement.
He was warned by O’Neill that he could be arrested if he showed up again.
Some sources are saying that the rebel soldiers are likely to be supporters of Sir Michael Somare, and there are indications that the soldiers maybe heading to the PNG parliament.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
