MSG DIRECTOR GENERAL RESIGNED

Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced the resignation of MSG’s Director General Peter Forau.

In a letter to the Prime Ministers of the other MSG countries and the FLNKS Spokesperson Victor Tutugoro over the weekend, Prime Minister Sogavare notified them of Mr. Forau’s decision to vacate the position of Director General of the MSG Secretariat by the end of next month or earlier if so decided by the MSG Chair.

Prime Minister Sogavare said in his notice of resignation Mr. Forau stated that he would love to continue in his role under his (Sogavare’s) leadership, but circumstances beyond Mr. Forau’s control have intervened to deny him the opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said on behalf of the leaders of Melanesia, as MSG Chair, he has accepted Mr Forau’s resignation and thanked him for his ‘good’ service to the governments and people of Melanesia.

The MSG Chair said as matter of process, the MSG Secretariat is launching an advertisement to ensure that a new Director General is in place as soon as practicable.

Mr. Sogavare said he is hopeful that ‘the true spirit of Melanesian unity’ will guide them – Melanesian leaders – as they select a new Director General for the MSG Secretariat.

The outgoing Director General has held the position since September 2011, after leaving the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat where he served as Deputy Secretary General for five years.