PACNEWS TWO, Friday 10 July 2026

In this bulletin: VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Fri 10 Jul 2026 Chiefs demand PM Napat resign over Nakamal name PORT VILA, 10 JULY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Paramount chiefs representing five of Vanuatu’s six provinces have called on Prime Minister Jotham Napat to resign before 30 July 2026, over the use of cultural names in foreign agreements. The chiefs have also called on the Governments of Vanuatu and Australia to remove the name Nakamal from the agreement and replace it with another name. The call follows criticism from traditional leaders over the Government’s use of cultural names and identities in bilateral agreements with Australia and the People’s Republic of China. Speaking on behalf of kastom chiefs from Shefa, Malampa, Penama, Sanma and Torba provinces, paramount Chief Bong Meleun Tempes of Ambrym and Chairman of the Lolehor Council of Chiefs accused the Government of using sacred cultural symbols without proper consultation. The Nakamal Agreement refers to the bilateral agreement signed between PM Napat and Australian PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra on 29 June 2026. The Namele Agreement refers to a development cooperation agreement being negotiated with the People’s Republic of China. Chief Tempes, serving as spokesperson for the kastom leaders, questioned the use of these names in foreign agreements, saying neither the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs nor the respective Island Councils of Chiefs were consulted. “The Government has no right to decide how our custom identities are used. Our custom identity is not a commodity. It is the soul of our people, the heritage of our ancestors and the promise we hold for future generations. To sell it cheaply in agreements with foreign powers is to betray the very essence of Vanuatu,” Chief Tempes said. The chiefs said customary culture and Christian principles form part of the foundations of Vanuatu’s identity under the National Constitution. They argue that cultural identities should be protected and not used as political tools. Chief Tempes criticised PM Napat, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tanna Constituency, saying politicians do not own kastom. “This is not a minor oversight. It is a direct affront to the guardians of our culture. Yet the Government now treats these sacred identities as bargaining chips in foreign diplomacy. Any Prime Minister or government of the day must respect chiefs and the Constitution. Stop trading culture for diplomacy,” Chief Tempes said. In Vanuatu, the Nakamal is a traditional meeting place where community leaders consult, mediate and make decisions based on mutual respect and understanding. The Namele leaf is a traditional symbol associated with peace, taboo and customary law. While the Napat-led Government has used the names to represent respectful partnerships with foreign countries, traditional leaders argue that their use was not authorised and undermines the role of customary leadership. The chiefs have set a deadline, calling on PM Napat to step down before the country celebrates its 46th Independence Day on 30 July. Chief Tempes said if PM Napat does not resign, traditional leaders across the country will take further customary and administrative steps to ensure the voices of the Malvatumauri and Island Councils of Chiefs are heard. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) previously responded to the issue through VBTC News , saying the agreements protect Vanuatu’s sovereignty while supporting economic development. However, the issue has created tension between Government diplomacy and customary leadership. Asked about the next step if Napat does not resign, Chief Tempes said, “it will be known later”. Meanwhile, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China said the name Namele was proposed by the Government of Vanuatu, not China. Daily Post understands that China is opting to use only “Vanuatu-China Cooperation” rather than Namele for the proposed agreement. The agreement between Vanuatu and China has yet to be signed. It is understood that China had been prepared to sign the agreement before the Nakamal Agreement with Australia, but the signing was delayed by Vanuatu. The PMO has been informed of the chiefs’ demand and has indicated it will not comment on the matter.... PACNEWS VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Fri 10 Jul 2026 Bilateral negotiations over, time for next step – Vanuatu’s DPM PORT VILA, 10 JULY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Vanuatu Government has declared it will pursue international legal avenues after the second round of talks with France failed to resolve the long-standing sovereignty dispute over Matthew and Hunter islands. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo told the media after briefing the Council of Ministers (COM) Thursday that the two countries were unable to reach an agreement during their two-day negotiations. The Lead Negotiator for Vanuatu said that despite extensive exchanges between both countries, their positions “remain far apart”. He said there were heated exchanges during the recent negotiations, but they were handled in a diplomatic and respectful manner. He mentioned that France submitted a non-paper proposing joint management of Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg (Hunter), on the basis that the arrangement would allow Vanuatu access to the two islands. Koanapo said he made it clear to the French team that Vanuatu should be the one allowing access to the islands, rather than France granting access to Vanuatu. “I said firmly to them that we (Vanuatu) will allow access to you, instead of you allowing us access. It doesn’t work that way. Because of those heated discussions, we were not able to reach a consensus,” he said. “Our positions regarding sovereignty over the two islands during the negotiations are seemingly too far apart. “Vanuatu’s position in the negotiations has been very clear since Independence: Matthew and Hunter islands have been and will always belong to the people of Vanuatu. “With COM’s blessings, I am reiterating that Vanuatu’s position remains unchanged.” He said while Vanuatu had expressed its views, it understood that France needed to take the matter through its Parliament and that people from New Caledonia were not part of the discussions as elections were underway at the time. He added that if France was relying on agreements made during the colonial period, it must remember that Indigenous people were stateless at the time and were never consulted. The Deputy PM said the Vanuatu Government had approached the negotiations with France in good faith and with respect, but with bilateral avenues now exhausted, it would pursue legal action under international law. Koanapo thanked the French Government, especially President Emmanuel Macron, for agreeing to engage in talks, which have now concluded without a resolution. He said he was confident in the Government’s approach to pursuing the matter further. Koanapo acknowledged the support and solidarity shown by the people and chiefs throughout Vanuatu on the matter. “It was not a waste of money. At least we pursued bilateral negotiations on friendly terms, exhausted all opportunities, and have now reached the point where we will consider other options, including arbitration or the International Court of Justice,” he said. Koanapo believes Vanuatu’s independence is not fully achieved until its claim and ownership of Matthew and Hunter islands are recognised.... PACNEWS PAC – HEALTH: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 2: Fri 10 Jul 2026 U.S declares public health emergency for CNMI and Guam after Super Typhoon Bavi SAIPAN/HAGATNA, 10 JULY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency for the Marianas – the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam – following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi. The declaration will allow federal authorities to expand healthcare support and emergency response efforts. The declaration, announced by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, follows emergency declarations issued by U.S President Donald Trump for both territories. “The people of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not facing this storm alone,” Kennedy said. “Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move faster, expand critical healthcare flexibilities, and deliver the support communities need.” The declaration allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide emergency waivers and other flexibilities so healthcare providers can continue serving patients during the recovery. The Department of Health and Human Services said existing emergency measures put in place after Super Typhoon Sinlaku will remain in effect while additional authorities are implemented under the new declaration. Ahead of Bavi’s arrival, the department said it had pre-positioned federal medical teams in Guam and Saipan, including a Health and Medical Situational Assessment Team, two National Disaster Medical System Health and Medical Task Forces, and an Incident Management Team. John Knox, the department’s principal deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said the advance deployment would help speed recovery efforts. “Preparedness means getting the right people and resources into position before they’re needed,” Knox said. The department said additional medical teams remain on standby and behavioural health personnel are also ready to deploy if required. Federal officials are also using the HHS emPOWER programme, which identifies Medicare beneficiaries dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators and dialysis services, to help prioritise assistance during prolonged power outages. The department said it continues to coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governments of Guam and the CNMI, and other federal agencies as recovery operations continue.... PACNEWS PAC – DIPLOMACY: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Fri 10 Jul 2026 South Sea Islanders welcome Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement PORT VILA, 10 JULY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) (ASSIPJ) has welcomed the signing of the Vanuatu Australia Nakamal Agreement, describing it as a major step towards stronger Pacific partnership and the formal recognition of the long-standing cultural connections between Australian South Sea Islanders and the people of Vanuatu. ASSIPJ said the agreement goes beyond bilateral cooperation by promoting Pacific-led partnership, cultural respect, climate resilience, economic cooperation and regional security, built on the Melanesian values of dialogue, trust and mutual understanding reflected in the concept of the Nakamal. “This agreement represents far more than a bilateral treaty,” ASSIPJ said. “It reflects a shared commitment to Pacific-led partnership, cultural respect, climate resilience, economic cooperation and regional security, founded on the Melanesian values of dialogue, trust and mutual understanding embodied by the concept of the Nakamal.” ASSIPJ likewise welcomed the agreement’s recognition of the enduring cultural connections between First Nations Australians, Australian South Sea Islanders and the people of Vanuatu. “For the first time in a bilateral agreement, the shared history of Australian South Sea Islanders and the legacy of the blackbirding era have been formally acknowledged. The commitment to strengthen dialogue between communities affected by this history and develop pathways that acknowledge the past, embrace the present and build for the future represents an important act of recognition, reconciliation and hope. “As the nationally elected and uncontested representative body and National Secretariat for Australian South Sea Islanders, ASSIPJ has advocated for some two decades for the recognition of our community and the important role Australian South Sea Islanders continue to play as a living bridge between Australia and the Pacific. “Our work is grounded in self-determination, community accountability, cultural authority and relationships that predate both Federation and the Commonwealth’s formal recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders in 1994. Those relationships continue today through long-standing partnerships with the Government of Vanuatu, chiefs, ministers, community organisations and grassroots communities built on trust, reciprocity and shared cultural values.” ASSIPJ similarly welcomed the leadership of Prime Minister Jotham Napat and the Government of Vanuatu for their commitment to people-to-people diplomacy and recognising Australian South Sea Islanders as part of the wider Pacific family. “We commend the Australian Government for reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Pacific partnerships through mutual respect, shared sovereignty and enduring friendship,” it said. “The agreement’s recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders affirms what our communities have always known that our histories, identities and futures remain intrinsically connected to Vanuatu. It also creates an important opportunity to ensure descendants of the blackbirding era are meaningfully included in implementing Article 2, Enduring Cultural Connections, which commits both governments to strengthening community dialogue and developing pathways that acknowledge this shared history.” ASSIPJ said implementation of this commitment should be guided by Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) principles, self-determination and community-led engagement. Australian South Sea Islander descendants must be recognised not only as beneficiaries of this work but as partners in its design, delivery and future direction. Through initiatives such as Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy and its partnership with the Government of Vanuatu and the City of Sydney Council since 2019, ASSIPJ said it has demonstrated how cultural diplomacy, truth-telling, women’s economic participation, heritage preservation and community leadership can strengthen Australia-Vanuatu relations through shared values and mutual respect. “Our organisation has been recognised nationally and internationally for this work, including receiving the NSW Premier’s International Human Rights Award (2020) for our contributions across Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and the Pacific. These achievements demonstrate the power of community-led diplomacy in advancing reconciliation, climate resilience, cultural exchange and enduring Pacific partnerships,” ASSIPJ said. “Today’s signing is not the end of a conversation; it is the beginning of a new chapter.” ASSIPJ said it looks forward to working with both governments, the Vanuatu High Commission, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), First Nations leaders and Pacific communities to ensure the aspirations of the Nakamal Agreement translate into meaningful outcomes for future generations. “The spirit of the