PNG Faces Embarrassment with UN Chief’s Democracy Mission

Papua New Guinea’s fragile democracy is under international scrutiny, with the United Nations Secretary-General scheduled to visit the country next week, according to former PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill, Leader of the People’s National Congress Party.

O’Neill described the visit as “a massive embarrassment,” noting its timing on the eve of PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary. He argued that the UN Chief’s trip reflects the international community’s concerns over democratic decline.

He criticised the 2022 National General Election as a “diabolical disaster,” citing voter turnout of less than 50 percent and more than 100 petitions filed in court. He added that the failure to deliver the 2024 Local Level Government elections has deepened the crisis.

“Elections are the foundation of democracy, and when they are stolen or denied, the country moves dangerously towards autocracy,” O’Neill warned. He said international democracy indexes no longer classify PNG as a functioning democracy.

According to the 2024 V-Dem Index, PNG is now labelled an “Electoral Autocracy,” while The Economist’s Democracy Index ranks the nation at just 5.97 out of 10.

O’Neill argued that these independent assessments influenced the UN’s decision to step in. “The Chief of the UN is not coming here to praise our leaders, but to confront the reality that PNG is globally recognised as a failing democracy,” he said.

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