Francesca Semoso, the Member for North Bougainville, has declared she will stay in the Opposition, despite rumors and pressures suggesting she should return to the Government benches.
In response to a social media poster claiming the people of North Bougainville want her back in the Government, Semoso firmly stated, “I will not move back to Pangu Party and the Government.”
Semoso addressed concerns about being on the same side as Sir Julius Chan and Sir Chris Haiveta, who were involved in the 1997 Sandline Crisis.
She made it clear that she is focused on the future of Bougainville, saying, “Sir Julius and Sir Chris are from the past.”
“I am looking at the future of Bougainville. I am a new breed in politics, and I am a woman.”
Semoso emphasized her commitment to the people of North Bougainville who elected her to be their voice in Parliament, not to serve any party.
“My concern is the people of Bougainville and North Bougainville, for the youths and children, and the women of Bougainville and PNG.”
She also expressed her satisfaction with her current position, adding that she had informed Prime Minister James Marape of her reasons for leaving the Government.
“I told Prime Minister James Marape that I have no grudge against his government, however I moved because of the people of North Bougainville and Bougainville’s Independence,” Semoso stated.
Semoso plans to demand an official apology from Pangu Party when Parliament resumes on September 3rd, citing her strong support from the people of Bougainville for her stand on their independence.
She noted that no Bougainville MP in the last 20 years has spoken so passionately in Parliament about Bougainville’s Independence, saying, “When I stood in Parliament and cried, it is because I felt the pain that my people endured during the crisis that took lives and destroyed our beautiful home.”
Finally, Semoso criticized Pangu Party and Prime Minister Marape for engaging in what she called “cheap politics” instead of addressing the country’s challenges.