James Marape, left, and Peter O'Neill. Photo: RNZ Pacific
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says he is ready to face another leadership challenge - the second one this year - after the opposition filed a no-confidence motion against his government.
James Marape confirmed in a media statement on Wednesday that the man who has brought the challenge against him is his old foe and former PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill.
Marape was a key member of O'Neill's administration from August 2012 to April 2019, holding the finance portfolio. He resigned from O'Neill's camp before succeeding him and was elected as Prime Minister in May 2019.
Marape said he welcomed "any challenge".
"This is not the first time Peter O'Neill has challenged me, and it may not be the last."
He said O'Neill has pursued every possible political and legal means to unseat him since since leaving his government.
"But I remain focused on governing and serving our people," he said.
Marape said PNG faced multiple political crises in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and now again in 2025.
"Yet our government has stood firm. We delivered the highest number of MPs returned for any party since the Somare Government in 1982. We have grown our economy by over PGK50 billion since 2019.
"The record speaks for itself - in economic management, infrastructure delivery, and service expansion," he added.
"It is now clear that the main perpetrator of political instability over the last six years has finally come out.
"It's O'Neill versus Marape - the former versus the present; PNC (People's National Congress) versus Pangu. The contrast is clear: the former Prime Minister ran the country down for eight years, while we are working to grow the economy, rebuild institutions, and restore trust in leadership."
In March, the PNG National Parliament passed an amendment to the country's Constitution providing an 18-month grace period after an unsuccessful vote of no confidence motion against the ruling Prime Minister and government, and is unsuccessful.
Marape said he would "not pressure" any MP to vote for him, branding the no-confidence motion "a distraction".
"If MPs believe O'Neill is the better leader, they should vote for him. That is democracy. For those who believe in my leadership, my record, and vision for a stronger, fairer PNG-stand with me. Either way, let us do what is right for our country and people," he said.
"We must stop constant political maneuvering. Fifty years on, our nation deserves better. Leaders must grow up and make responsible choices. The people are watching, and history will judge us by how we act today."
